Tension As Gunmen Waylay Herdsmen, Launch Heavy Attack On Them, Their Cows (PHOTO)

Gunmen launched an attack on cattle rearers on Tuesday afternoon, resulting in the death of at least 13 cattle in the Fan district of Ndim community, located in the Barikin Ladi local government area of Plateau state.

Abubakar Gambo, the secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), confirmed the incident, stating, “The affected cattle died instantly at the scene of the incident.”

Muhammad Yakubu, one of the rearers who survived the attack, recounted the terrifying experience, saying, “We were tending to our cattle when suddenly, three young men armed with guns descended on us and started shooting sporadically. We were lucky to have fled the scene of the incident unhurt but 13 cattle were shot dead while six were injured.”

Auwal Ibrahim, an owner of the affected cattle, expressed concern over the incident, emphasizing, “All the cattle died at the scene of the incident because there wasn’t any way we could slaughter them at the time of the incident.”

Nura Abdullahi, the state chairman of MACBAN, condemned the attack, stating, “What is happening to us in the Barikin Ladi general area is a deliberate attempt to provoke our members. They are picking a fight with us. We are calling on security agencies to arrest those responsible for these brutal attacks.”

Despite efforts by security operatives to maintain peace in the area, the spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, has not responded to calls and SMS from our correspondent as of the time of filing this report.