Four young children have been reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen in a reprisal attack over alleged rustling of their cows in Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security expert Zagazola Makama, who reported the news on his X handle on Saturday, said the herdsmen attacked and killed the children on Thursday following an attack on some herders by local militias who opened fire and stole 163 cows.
The four victims were identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isaac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3.
The security expert said information gathered revealed that the attack occurred less than 48 hours after coordinated assaults on pastoral communities in Barkin Ladi, Jos East, and Riyom LGAs, during which no fewer than 168 cattle were rustled and 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.
He added that troops and other security operatives had been deployed to the area to prevent further escalation and restore calm, while calling on the state government and security agencies to urgently intervene, arrest perpetrators on all sides, and address the underlying 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.
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