At least four children have been killed in a reprisal attack by suspected Fulani herdsmen in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, following alleged cattle rustling in the area.
The victims, identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isaac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3, were reportedly attacked on Thursday.
Security expert Zagazola Makama, who disclosed the incident on his X handle on Saturday, said the attack followed an earlier assault on herders by suspected local militias, during which scores of cattle were allegedly rustled.
According to Makama, the incident occurred less than 48 hours after coordinated attacks on pastoral communities in Barkin Ladi, Jos East and Riyom local government areas, where no fewer than 168 cattle were reportedly rustled, with several others poisoned.
“On Wednesday evening, militia from Plateau rustled 137 cattle around Nding community, in Fan District of Barkin Ladi LGA, while another 34 cattle were driven away from Kukukah community in Jos East LGA, with only three later returning,” he wrote.
“Less than 24 hours later, nine cows reportedly died after grazing on poisoned substances around Kwi village in Riyom LGA, further heightening tension across the affected areas.
“A community leader in Foron District, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the Dorong attack was carried out in the early hours of Thursday.
“The atmosphere has been tense since the cattle rustling incidents. People have been living in fear, warned that reprisals were imminent if nothing was done. Sadly, those fears have now materialised,” he said.
Makama added that troops and other security operatives had been deployed to the affected communities to forestall further escalation and restore calm.
He urged the Plateau State Government and security agencies to urgently intervene by arresting perpetrators on all sides and addressing the root causes of the recurring violence.
“Without decisive actions, including accountability for cattle rustling, livestock poisoning and retaliatory attacks, Plateau State risks sinking deeper into another cycle of reprisals that continues to claim innocent lives, particularly women and children,” he noted.