At least four herders and nine cows were reportedly killed in separate attacks on Tuesday in Bokkos and Bassa Local Government Areas of Plateau State. Several houses were also set ablaze during the incidents.
Grassroots Parrot reports that five individuals, including women, sustained injuries and are currently receiving treatment at a hospital in Bokkos, according to local sources.
The attacks followed an earlier incident in which seven members of a family were killed in the Kopmur community of Mushere District, Bokkos. Earlier this week, a clergyman, Reverend Mikang Lekyil, was also killed by suspected kidnappers in Kwakas, with his wife and another woman injured.
The incident allegedly led to the burning of a Fulani settlement in Dingak.
Confirming the attacks, Plateau State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, said gunmen struck in Tangoron, Bassa LGA, and Mushere, Bokkos LGA.
He added that the General Officer Commanding 3 Division of the Nigerian Army and the police have been informed.
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Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN) Chairman, Garba Abdullahi, condemned the killings and urged security agencies to investigate and ensure justice.
However, Operation Safe Haven and the state police command did not respond to media inquiries at the time of this report.
In a contrasting view, Chairman of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC), Farmasum Fuddang, alleged that the claims of herder killings may be an attempt to distract from earlier attacks on farming communities. He urged that all such incidents be reported to the authorities.
Plateau State has long been a flashpoint for clashes between herders and farmers, with both sides trading blame over frequent violence.