Troops Impound 28 Livestock Over Illegal Grazing, Farm Destruction in Plateau’s Mangu
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Operation Enduring Peace (OPEP) have intercepted 28 livestock, comprising 23 cattle and five additional cattle found destroying farmland, as well as 10 rams, during separate operations against illegal grazing in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that at about 6:05 p.m. on Aug. 2, troops of Sector 8 deployed at Telengpat Guard Location intercepted 23 cattle and 10 rams grazing in a restricted area at Telengpat Village.
The livestock were immediately moved to a safe location to prevent further damage, while the MACBAN youth leader in Pushit was contacted to assist in identifying the owners for necessary administrative action.
In a related development, at about 6:21 p.m., troops deployed at Lamor Guard Location responded to a distress call over the destruction of a farm belonging to Mr. Felix Garba at Lamor Village, also in Mangu LGA.
On arrival, the troops intercepted five cattle grazing on the affected farmland without any herder in attendance.
The livestock were similarly secured and moved to a safe location pending the identification of their owners.
Security sources said efforts are ongoing to trace the owners of the animals and ensure appropriate action is taken in accordance with existing conflict-resolution procedures aimed at preventing further escalation of farmer-herder tensions in the area.
The operations form part of ongoing efforts by Operation Enduring Peace to curb illegal grazing, protect farmlands during the farming season and prevent disputes from degenerating into violent communal clashes across Plateau State.
