Three Herders Brutally Murdered in Plateau State Ambush
In a tragic escalation of violence, gunmen have killed three herders along the Dorowa-Jong road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State. The brutal attack occurred on the night of Thursday, February 19, 2026, sending shockwaves through the region and reigniting longstanding community tensions.
Details of the Deadly Ambush
The victims were ambushed while returning home to Jong community after attending Qur'an Tafsir in Dorowa community around 7:30 pm. According to Ibrahim Babayo, the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the perpetrators not only shot the victims but also used sharp objects to decapitate one of them in what he described as a particularly brutal assault.
"This was a savage attack that should be condemned by everyone," Babayo told journalists in Jos on Friday. "We strongly believe this unprovoked violence was carried out by members of the Berom community, who have been perpetrating attacks against our members and livestock."
Conflicting Community Accusations
The MACBAN chairman condemned the killings in the strongest terms and called on authorities to investigate thoroughly and bring the perpetrators to justice. He emphasized that this wasn't the first time their members had been targeted and demanded immediate action from both state and federal governments to protect herders and their livestock.
However, Solomon Mwantiri, National President of the Berom Youths Moulders Association, completely rejected these accusations. He described MACBAN's claims as unwarranted and absolved his community of any involvement in the attack.
Security Response and Investigation
Security forces have responded promptly to the incident. Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, confirmed that the command received information about the attack around 11:00 pm on Thursday and immediately mobilized officers to the scene.
"The GOC 3 Division and commander of Operation Enduring Peace have expressed serious concern about this incident," Oteh stated. "They have vowed to track down those responsible, and investigations have already begun."
The security spokesperson added that military leadership has appealed to affected families to remain calm while security agencies work to determine who was responsible for the attack.
Community Tensions and Calls for Restraint
Mwantiri noted that security personnel, including soldiers and the Divisional Police Officer for Barkin Ladi, have all visited the scene of the incident as part of their investigation. Meanwhile, the MACBAN chairman has urged his members to remain calm and law-abiding, allowing security agencies to handle the situation professionally.
This latest violence occurs against a backdrop of longstanding tensions between farming and herding communities in Plateau State, with both sides frequently accusing each other of attacks. The brutal nature of this particular incident has raised concerns about potential retaliation and further escalation of conflict in the region.
As investigations continue, residents and community leaders await answers while hoping for a peaceful resolution that prevents further bloodshed in this troubled region of Nigeria.
