The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has voiced profound grief and concern over a fresh assault on its members in the state. The association reported that the violent incident resulted in the death of one herder and left another with severe injuries.
Details of the Gero Community Attack
According to the association's account, the attack unfolded on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, around 8:00 p.m. The victims were reportedly on the outskirts of the Gero community in Jos South Local Government Area, returning to their cattle shed after a shopping trip in the community. MACBAN stated that the herders were unaware they were being followed by assailants who later opened fire on them.
The association identified the deceased herder as Zakariya Abdullahi. The second victim, Jibrin Musa, sustained critical gunshot wounds during the assault.
A Pattern of Violence and Calls for Justice
In a strongly worded statement released on Tuesday, the Plateau State Chairman of MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, decried what he termed repeated and targeted attacks on Fulani pastoralists in the state. He highlighted a distressing pattern of violence throughout the preceding year.
"We have recorded countless attacks and killings in 2025," Babayo stated. "This is one of the many instances where our herders would be gruesomely killed and cattle shot." He specifically referenced an incident from two weeks prior, where five Fulani herders were attacked and critically injured near Conoil along the Bukuru Expressway. Babayo attributed that attack to "Berom Terrorists" allegedly trained to target herders.
The chairman further lamented that December 2025 alone saw numerous attacks, cattle rustling, and shootings leading to the loss of both lives and livestock. MACBAN confirmed it had reported the latest incident to security agencies, including Operation Enduring Peace, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the Nigeria Police Force.
Appeal for Calm and Enhanced Security
While acknowledging the efforts of security operatives to maintain peace in Plateau State, MACBAN urged them to redouble their efforts to apprehend the perpetrators of these attacks. The association made a direct appeal to its members for restraint and lawful conduct.
"Despite these repeated attacks, we are calling on our members to remain calm and allow security forces to carry out their investigation and the arrest of the perpetrators," the statement read. "We urge all members to remain law-abiding and never take laws into their own hands."
The statement concluded by reaffirming MACBAN's commitment to supporting peace efforts in the state, despite what it described as resistance from criminal elements.
