Plateau: 16-year-old herder killed, another shot during alleged Military raid on Riyom community

By Muhammad Tanko Shittu —  A 16-year-old herder, Abubakar Abdullahi, has been killed, while another, Usaini Langai, was injured in an alleged security operation in Tafawa community, Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Several houses were also reportedly burnt, while some cattle were killed and others injured during the incident.

Members of the herding community alleged that security operatives stormed the area at about 4 a.m. on Saturday and opened fire on residents while they were sleeping.

Mr Usaini, who survived the incident, alleged that the operatives took him and the deceased out of their room before killing Abubakar.

“We were sleeping in the room at night when soldiers stormed in, brought us out and killed my colleague instantly. They burnt houses and killed some cattle.

“They started moving with me and later shot me twice and abandoned me there. Soon after, some residents who heard my cry came and evacuated me to the hospital in Barkin Ladi,” he said.

The father of the deceased also accused the security operatives of killing his son without provocation.

He said the operatives stormed the community at about 4 a.m., forcing residents to flee for safety before encountering the two teenage herders.

“After bringing him outside, they killed him for no offence. They opened fire at our houses.

“They went with the other herder and shot him twice in the back, believing that he had died, but luckily we took him to the hospital for treatment.

“They killed some cattle and injured others. This is unjust because nothing has happened around this area that would warrant them invading the community,” he said.

The father further alleged that security personnel had previously killed cattle belonging to members of the community.

He also claimed that after leaving Tafawa, the operatives proceeded to other herding settlements, where they allegedly burnt houses.

Similarly, Abdulhadi Muhammad, whose house was reportedly burnt, called on the government to investigate the incident and ensure justice for the victims.

Mr Muhammad alleged that his cattle had been poisoned around Kwi a day before his house was burnt.

He said he reported the incident to security agencies in the area but was advised to remain patient.

“It is surprising that they will come and burn my house without any reason. A day before security burned my house, our cattle were poisoned around Kwi and as a leader, I was informed and I reported the incident to all security forces in the area.

“They asked us to be patient and we were patient. But to my surprise, they burned my house. What was my offence? Was it because our cattle were killed and we reported the case to them?” he asked.

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, in the area, Bello Adamu, also condemned the incident, alleging that the operation was deliberately targeted at members of the Fulani community.

He accused security personnel of killing residents and their cattle, warning that such incidents could undermine efforts to restore peace in the area.

“We are surprised that security forces will attack us without provocation. They killed our people and our cattle. Their problem is that we are Fulani.

“Our call is that if government is not the one directing them to kill us, they should do something about it. Gunmen kill us and security personnel also kill us. How do we achieve peace if this continues?” he said.

Efforts to obtain the reaction of the military were unsuccessful as the spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Polycarp Oteh, did not respond to inquiries as of press time.