Tension Rises in Plateau as Cattle Are Killed in Gero Village Attack

Tension heightened in Gero village, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau, following the killing and injury of livestock in an attack against Fulani allegedly carried out by Berom militias, an incident residents warned could trigger another round of reprisals across the state.

Sources told Akelicious that the incident occurred on Sunday when armed men stormed grazing areas around Gero village and opened fire on cattle belonging to Fulani herders.

According to the sources, no fewer than 10 cattle were killed on the spot, while 12 others sustained fatal injuries and were later abandoned.

Community leaders described the attack as part of a growing pattern of unreported violence against pastoral communities in Jos South and adjoining local government areas.The attack at Gero is not an isolated incident. Similar cases have been happening quietly, a community leader, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said.

The sources alleged that repeated complaints to authorities had yielded little response, accusing the Plateau State Government of reacting mainly to incidents from one side of the conflict.

Akelicious reports that the Gero incident came amid heightened tension following a series of violent episodes across Plateau in recent days, particularly in Barkin Ladi, Riyom and Jos East Local Government Areas.

In one of the most disturbing incidents, four children were killed on Thursday in Dorong village, Foron District of Barkin Ladi LGA, in a reprisal attack linked to earlier assaults on pastoral communities and large-scale cattle rustling.

The victims were identified as Precious Joshuah, 17; Isa’ac Joshuah, 9; Mary Joshuah, 7; and Eve Sambo, 3.

The reprisal followed coordinated attacks in which more than 160 cattle were reportedly rustled in Barkin Ladi and Jos East LGAs, while several others died after grazing on poisoned substances in Riyom LGA.

Akelicious report that concern of recent narratives suggesting bandits were planning fresh attacks ahead of the Christmas season failed to reflect the realities on the ground. Many of these reprisals are being triggered by killings, cattle rustling and livestock poisoning that go largely unreported, some allegedly involving government-supported militias,” another source said.