Five herders were killed after gunmen opened fire on a vehicle transporting cattle in Kassa community, Barkin Ladi LGA.
The attack occurred around 3 p.m. on Sunday as the victims travelled from Bokkos towards Jos South in a J5 vehicle. Two other occupants were injured and taken to hospital, according to reports.
The deceased were identified as Buhari Yusuf, Aminu Ahmad, Nasiru Abdullahi, Gambo Abubakar and Muhammad Abdul Rahman. Their bodies were buried on Monday at the Muslim Cemetery in Bokkos.
The Sector Commander of Operation Enduring Peace in Bokkos, Lt. Col. Luke Adejo, condemned the attack during the burial and urged the herding community not to retaliate.
Plateau State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, also condemned the killings. He also called on security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to account. The killings came amid a wider wave of violence across parts of Plateau State.
Reports indicated that more than 20 people, including women, were killed across Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Riyom within two days. Several houses were also set ablaze during this period.
Borno Parents Give FG Six Days to Rescue Abducted Children
Three Killed as Gunmen Attack Plateau Market in Mangu
Woman’s Body Discovered in Jos Wildlife Park
Plateau Imposes Curfew
Following the fresh attacks, the Plateau State Government imposed an immediate dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Mangu local government areas. The curfew took effect on Monday, September 21, and restricts movement between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. until further notice.
Commissioner for Information and Communication Joyce Lohya Ramnap said the measure was introduced to maintain public order, protect lives and allow security agencies to stabilise the affected areas.
Security personnel have been directed to enforce the restriction. The government also announced an immediate ban on motorcycles across the three affected local government areas. Residents were urged to comply with the directive and organise their commercial, agricultural and personal activities around the restricted hours.
