The Berom Youth Moulders (BYM) and the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) are at odds over a recent security incident in Plateau State. The disagreement stems from an attack that occurred in the Hotel District of Jos South Local Government Area on Friday, June 5, 2026.
MACBAN's Account of the Incident
The Chairman of MACBAN in Plateau State, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed that a 15-year-old herder, Sadi Aliyu, was killed near the Sabon Gidan Kanar community in Jos South council. He added that many cattle were also shot dead, while 11 others remain missing. Babayo told reporters that the herders were tending to their cattle when gunmen suddenly stormed the area and opened fire on them. According to him, the attack was unprovoked, as the victim and his colleagues were simply rearing their cattle. “They shot one herder and 13 cattle dead. About 11 cattle are still missing,” he said. He described the continuous targeting of innocent herders and their livestock as unacceptable, posing a serious threat to peaceful coexistence and security in Plateau State. Babayo reported the matter to the police at Bukuru ‘B’ Division and Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) of the Joint Task Force, calling on security agencies to investigate the circumstances surrounding the killing and arrest the perpetrators, ensuring they are brought to justice.
BYM's Response and Counterclaims
In response to MACBAN's claims, the BYM issued a statement through its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwong. The statement disputed MACBAN's version of events, asserting that available information from the affected community indicates that armed Fulani terrorists took advantage of early morning rainfall to launch an attack on unsuspecting residents of Fuel who had already gone out in search of their livelihood before the rain commenced. According to the BYM, the attack resulted in the killing of a community member, Mr. Jan, while another resident, Mr. Silvanus Toma, sustained a gunshot wound to the head and is currently receiving treatment at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) in critical condition. The BYM strongly condemned every loss of innocent life regardless of ethnicity, religion, or occupation. However, they rejected attempts to distort facts, criminalize entire communities, and ignore the suffering of indigenous residents who continue to bear the brunt of violent attacks. The group called on security agencies to conduct a thorough, impartial, and professional investigation into the incident and ensure that all perpetrators, irrespective of their background, are brought to justice.
