MACBAN claims two herders were killed by local militias in Plateau ambush.

Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has claimed that a local militia killed two Fulani herdsmen in an ambush at Talma village in Ngel District of Jos South Local Government Area.

The state chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, told journalists in Jos on Tuesday that the attack occurred on Monday at about 8 p.m. as the victims were heading to their cattle pen after grazing. Babayo identified the alleged victims as 28‑year‑old Sadiq Muhammad and 29‑year‑old Mas’ud Abdullahi.

He said the attack was unprovoked, noting that the herdsmen and their cattle had not encroached on farmland that could justify the assault.

Babayo called on security agencies to apprehend and prosecute the perpetrators, warning that any attempt to ignore the incident would be unacceptable.

He described how the attackers, armed with dangerous weapons, opened fire on the victims, shooting them several times and killing them on the spot. “Not yet done with the shooting, the militia gang also gouged out the eyes of the victims for no offence committed by the victims,” the MACBAN chairman said.

“This act of terrorism has become a recurring occurrence, especially in Gyel District. Herders can no longer graze or move freely without being attacked or killed,” he added.

According to Babayo, one survivor, Ismaila Haruna, recounted how he narrowly escaped the attack. “Haruna told our leaders in the community that three of them were riding on motorcycles to the cattle pen when the gunmen suddenly opened fire indiscriminately. He said after they fell, the gunmen moved in and continued shooting at his two colleagues, making sure they were dead. He managed to escape and reported the incident to personnel of Operation Enduring Peace. Haruna said security personnel later accompanied him back to the scene, where they recovered the bodies of the victims and the motorcycle. After returning to the headquarters of the operation, the bodies were released to our leaders and families for burial. I urge all our members to remain peaceful and allow the security agencies to investigate the incident. We must continue to be law‑abiding citizens,” Babayo admonished.