The Berom Youths Moulders Association (BYM) has denied allegations by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) that youths from the Inzon community in Fan District, Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, attacked herders and killed a 13-year-old boy.
National President of BYM, Barrister Solomon Dalyop, in a statement on Wednesday, described the accusation as false and unsubstantiated, insisting that there was no evidence linking Berom youths to the alleged incident.
Earlier, the Plateau State Chairman of MACBAN, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, had accused armed Berom youths of ambushing three young herders on Tuesday, killing one, injuring two others, and slaughtering 39 cattle.
He also claimed that 49 other cattle were missing after the attack.
Babayo, who condemned the alleged assault, described it as “barbaric and unprovoked,” adding that the herders were peacefully grazing their animals when they were attacked.
However, Dalyop faulted the statement, saying it was a “hasty conclusion” made before any security investigation had been carried out.
He argued that MACBAN’s allegations were part of a recurring pattern used to justify retaliatory violence against Berom communities.
“As far as we are concerned, the allegation labeling our peace-loving inhabitants of Nding and Fan District is a ploy to justify planned aggression on our people,” he said.
He further alleged that, contrary to MACBAN’s claims, suspected armed herders had launched simultaneous attacks in the same district on Monday, resulting in the death of one Mr. Timothy Ishaku Chollom and injuries to others.
Dalyop urged security agencies to conduct a thorough and impartial investigation into the incidents rather than rely on unverified claims.
He called on all parties to prioritize peace and avoid statements capable of heightening tensions in the state.