Gunmen struck Fulani herders in two separate attacks on Wednesday, 10 December 2025, rustling at least 168 cows (with three later returning) in Barikin Ladi and Jos East Local Government Areas of Plateau State.
The state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incidents to journalists in Jos on Thursday.
According to him, the larger attack occurred in Nding Susu village, Fan District of Barikin Ladi LGA, where 137 cattle were taken, while 34 cows were rustled in Kukukah community, Jos East LGA.
The cattle belong to three herders identified as Alhaji Wada Sale, Abdullahi Yusuf, and Alhaji Talba Abubakar.
Babayo said the gunmen opened sporadic fire on the herders as they grazed their animals, forcing them to flee for their lives while the attackers drove the cattle away.
“I immediately informed the DSS, Police, Operation Safe Haven (Sector 4 Commander in Barikin Ladi), and other security agencies,” he added, urging calm among affected members while calling on security forces to track and recover the animals and arrest the culprits.
However, the Berom Youth Moulders Association (BYM) has strongly denied any knowledge of cattle rustling in the affected areas.National President of BYM, Barrister Solomon Dalyop, described the claim as “fallacious” and a possible pretext for reprisal attacks.
“For years, the people of Fan have made it clear that there are no grazing reserves in the area and have warned Fulani herders to stay away. We carried out our own findings and there was no rustling incident on Wednesday,” Dalyop said, insisting that security agencies should be allowed to independently verify the claims.
When contacted, Acting Deputy Director of Army Public Relations, 3rd Armoured Division, Lt-Col Aliyu Danja, said the matter had been referred to the Sector Commander and intelligence unit for necessary action.
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