In a fresh incident of violence in Plateau State, unidentified gunmen launched an attack on cattle herders, resulting in the death of over a dozen cows. The assault occurred along Gero Road within the Jos South Local Government Area, further straining the security situation in the region.
Details of the Gero Road Assault
The attack took place on the evening of Sunday, December 14, 2025. According to accounts from the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the herders were engaged in their routine grazing activities when they were suddenly targeted. The Plateau State chairman of the association, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the details to journalists, strongly condemning the act.
One of the herders who managed to escape, Jabir Abdullahi, provided a chilling account. He stated that the attackers arrived on motorcycles and, without any provocation, began shooting directly at the cattle. “We were grazing when the gunmen arrived on motorcycles. As soon as they stopped, the person sitting at the back started shooting, forcing us to flee,” Abdullahi recounted. Thirteen cattle were shot dead on the spot, with several others sustaining serious injuries.
Community and Security Response
Following the attack, leaders from the Miyetti Allah association promptly alerted personnel from Operation Enduring Peace, Sector 6. The security team visited the scene to assess the situation. Simultaneously, the host community where the incident occurred has distanced itself from the violence.
Iliya Solomon, the Treasurer of the Ngel Development Association, emphasized that residents had no knowledge of the perpetrators. “We do not know the perpetrators,” Solomon stated, after visiting the scene with security personnel where he saw the aftermath. He described the area as prone to criminal activity and called for a sustained security presence and a thorough investigation.
Chairman Babayo urged members of the herding community to remain calm and avoid any actions that could lead to reprisals, suggesting that the attackers likely aimed to provoke wider violence. The acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations for the 3 Division, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, confirmed that the military was aware of the report, though further details were not immediately provided.
Context and Broader Implications
This incident adds to a series of security challenges in Plateau State and other parts of Nigeria. It underscores the persistent tensions in farming and herding communities and the urgent need for effective conflict resolution and intelligence-driven security operations. The call for a detailed probe by local leaders highlights the community's desire for justice and stability, rather than a cycle of retaliation.
