Three teenage herders have been killed and about 50 cattle lost after gunmen attacked a grazing area in the Aloghom community of Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The incident reportedly occurred on Friday, a day after another herder was killed alongside 18 cattle around Nyerwe community in neighbouring Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.
The latest victims were identified as 18-year-old Garzali Shaibu, 14-year-old Bashiru Yakubu and 15-year-old Salim Abubakar.
According to Hashimu Yahaya, Coordinator of the Fulbe Fulani Development Association in Mangu, the victims were tending to their cattle when they were attacked.
The state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, also confirmed the incident, saying the attackers stormed the grazing area and opened fire on the herders.
Babayo described the incident as an unprovoked attack and said security agencies, including the Department of State Services and Operation Safe Haven, had been alerted.
He appealed to herders across Plateau State to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their hands, while urging security agencies to identify and prosecute those responsible.
The latest killings have raised fresh concerns over the safety of herders and their livestock in parts of Plateau State, with the two incidents occurring within 24 hours.
