Plateau Militia Shoot Five Cows in Plateau as Troops Intensify Patrols to Prevent Clashes

By: Zagazola Makama

Five cows were reportedly shot during an attack by plateau militia around Rafin Bauna village in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, security sources have said.

Military sources told Zagazola Makama that the incident followed earlier reports of sporadic gunfire around Fulani cattle settlements near the community in the early hours of May 9.

According to the sources, troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) had swiftly responded to the distress call, forcing the attackers to flee before further damage could be inflicted.

Further assessment later confirmed that five cows belonging to one Idris Zubairu, 45, were affected by gunshots during the attack.

“Two of the cows were critically injured and had to be slaughtered by the owner, while three others sustained varying degrees of gunshot wounds,” a source said.

The herders also confirmed that other cattle which scattered during the attack were later accounted for, while no human casualty was recorded.

Security sources earlier linked the attack to suspected armed youths believed to have fired toward Fulani cattle settlements before fleeing on sighting troops.

The latest incident is part of the growing pattern of livestock-related violence and reprisals recorded across parts of Plateau State in recent weeks, particularly in Bassa, Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Mangu LGAs.

Meanwhile, troops have intensified preventive operations across farming and grazing communities to forestall further clashes between herders and farmers.

Sources disclosed that troops carried out extensive patrols around irrigation farming areas within the operational sector to deny criminal elements freedom of action and prevent possible confrontations.

The patrols, according to the sources, were conducted without incident as security operatives maintained dominance across vulnerable communities.

Security agencies have continued to reinforce deployments, patrols and intelligence-driven operations across Plateau following renewed attacks, cattle rustling incidents, destruction of farmlands and reprisal violence recorded in several local government areas.