At least two farmers were killed and 21 cattle shot dead in separate attacks on Sunday in Plateau State. The first incident occurred around 1 p.m. in Gero, Jos South Local Government Area, where gunmen opened fire on herders grazing cattle, injuring one person and killing 21 animals. The state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the attack, stating the herders were grazing peacefully when gunmen opened sporadic fire. He said the cattle were worth millions of naira and called on security forces to act swiftly.
Later that day, at approximately 7:20 p.m., another attack took place in Kyeng village, Bachi District, Riyom LGA. Gunmen ambushed and shot dead Peter Dung, 22, and Amos Bele Danbwarang, 19, before fleeing into nearby bushes. The National Publicity Secretary of the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, condemned the killings in a statement issued on Monday. He described the attack as barbaric and inhuman, blaming continued assaults on native communities in Plateau State. Tengwong called on security agencies to pursue the perpetrators and urged governments at all levels to act against ongoing violence.
Following the attack in Gero, troops from Sector 3 were mobilized to support personnel of Sector 6 under Operation Enduring Peace already operating in the community. The security operation was active during the incident. Daily Trust reported the attacks amid recurring violence in parts of Plateau State involving armed groups, farmers, and herders. No official statement from security agencies had been released at the time of reporting.
Rwang Tengwong condemns the killings as barbaric while naming two young victims, yet the same association has previously backed armed militias in the region. Peter Dung and Amos Bele Danbwarang were killed hours after MACBAN reported gunmen had already attacked herders and killed 21 cattle in another part of the state. Security forces were already operating in Gero when the second attack occurred in Kyeng village, raising questions about their reach and response. If troops were present during one attack, their absence in another nearby incident suggests a fragmented security presence.
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