Local militia kill 81 cows, rustle 32 in Plateau

About 113 cows belonging to Fulani herders were on Thursday lost when suspected local militia attacked herders grazing near the College of Accountancy in Kwall, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Fulani leaders, in separate responses, weekend said the “unprovoked” attack led to the killing of 81 cows with 32 rustled and 48 injured.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) and the Jonde Jam Fulani Youth Association described the attackers as “Irigwe militants carrying sophisticated weapons.”

MACBAN Chairman in the state, Muhammad Nura Abdullahi, said the Operation Safe Haven and the state’s Commissioner of Police Isaac Akinmoyede had been notified of the incident.

“We have reported the incident to the OPSH sector 6 and I personally reported to the Commissioner of Police who advised that I take the matter to the DPO for documentation which has been done. The Area Commander and the DPO have visited the scene and seen the evidence for themselves,” he said.

On his part, the National President of Jonde Jam Fulani Youth Association of Nigeria, Saeedu Maikano, said the cows were killed deliberately to spite the cattle owners.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Tyopev Terna declined comment.

But the spokesman of the OPSH, Major Adam Umar, confirmed the killing of the cows, saying the assailants chased the cows to a forest area where they killed many and rustled some.

He said the task force was trailing the assailants.