Three young herders killed in Plateau — MACBAN cries out

The Plateau State chapter of MACBAN has reported that three herders were shot dead in an ambush by a group identified as Berom Militias in Tanjol Village, Riyom Local Government Area, yesterday, Sunday, 19 July 2026. The victims — Abdurrazak Abdullahi, 22; Husaini Idris, 23; and Yusuf Tukur, 19 — were grazing cattle peacefully, according to the association's chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo. Two others, Ayuba Adam and Sadi Adamu, are in serious condition, and one cow was also killed.

Babayo's statement strongly rejects attempts to label the deceased without evidence, noting that this is a deliberate provocation to spark reprisal attacks and then blame the Fulani. He called on the police, DSS, and Operation Enduring Peace to conduct a transparent and independent investigation. He also warned against inflammatory public statements that could escalate tensions further.

This is the same cycle we have seen on the Plateau for years — accusations, counter-accusations, and more bodies. Who benefits from this pattern of violence? When will the authorities stop treating these incidents as routine and start delivering real justice?