Two Fulani herders, a man and a woman, were reportedly ambushed and killed on Monday evening in the Tahore community, Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims, identified as Umar Sa’idu and Rashida Yakubu, were returning from Maikatako market on a motorcycle when they were attacked and shot dead, according to the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN).
State MACBAN Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the incident while addressing journalists in Jos. He condemned the killings and called on security agencies to act swiftly to prevent further violence in the area.
“I have informed the Commander of Operation Safe Haven, the GOC of 3 Division, the State Commissioner of Police, and the Director of State Security,” Babayo said. “They assured us investigations would be carried out and warned against any form of retaliation.”
He urged members of the Fulani community in the area to remain calm and law-abiding, despite ongoing attacks. “We must not take the law into our own hands,” he said. “In recent times, we’ve lost over 100 cattle and now two lives. This is painful.”
However, John Apollos Maton Esq., a member of the Bokkos Cultural Development Council (BCDC) Vanguard, said he was unaware of such an incident. He denied any involvement of Bokkos residents, stating, “Our people only defend themselves against terrorists. If those killed were attackers, then they are part of those attacking us.”
Efforts to get a response from the spokesperson of Operation Safe Haven, Major Samson Zhakom, were unsuccessful at the time of filing this report.
In response to the rising tension, security personnel, including police and soldiers, have been deployed to the area to maintain peace.
This incident comes days after a high-level security meeting led by Major General Folusho Oyinlola, the GOC of 3 Division and Commander of Operation Safe Haven, following renewed violence in Jos South and Riyom LGAs.
