JOS, Nigeria — A 15-year-old herder, Sadi Aliyu, has been killed by suspected gunmen in Sabon Gidan Kanar community, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, in an attack that also left 13 cattle dead and 11 others missing.
The incident reportedly occurred while the teenager and other herders were grazing livestock in the area. The Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, confirmed the attack on Saturday, saying the assailants stormed the grazing field and opened fire without provocation.
“The victim, alongside his colleagues, was rearing cattle when the gunmen attacked them. They killed one herder and 13 cattle, while about 11 cattle are still missing,” Babayo said.
He condemned the killing, describing it as a threat to peace and security in Plateau State. He said the continued targeting of herders and livestock could worsen tension and undermine efforts to promote peaceful coexistence among communities.
Babayo said the incident had been reported to the Bukuru B Division of the Nigeria Police Force and Sector 6 of Operation Enduring Peace for investigation and action. He urged security agencies to identify and arrest those responsible, while also appealing to members of the herding community not to take the law into their own hands.
“The association remains committed to peace, dialogue and lawful means of addressing grievances,” he said.
The attack comes amid renewed efforts by the Plateau State Government to curb insecurity and reduce clashes linked to farming, grazing, mining and communal disputes. Governor Caleb Mutfwang recently announced a ban on night mining, directing that all mining operations must end by 5 p.m. daily. He also banned night grazing and prohibited grazing by underage herders as part of measures aimed at improving security across the state.
Plateau has witnessed recurring violence involving rural communities, herders and armed groups, with attacks often triggering reprisals and deepening mistrust. Security analysts have repeatedly warned that unresolved land-use disputes, cattle rustling, illegal mining and weak law enforcement continue to fuel tension in parts of the state.
Efforts to obtain official confirmation from Operation Enduring Peace were unsuccessful at the time of reporting, as its spokesman, Captain Polycarp Oteh, had yet to respond to enquiries.
Residents and community leaders have called for a thorough investigation, stronger patrols and urgent steps to prevent the latest killing from escalating into further violence.
