Three Injured In Plateau Ambush Amid Cycle Of Attacks, Reprisals
By Anne Osemekeh, Abuja
Three travellers sustained gunshot injuries after they were allegedly ambushed by suspected militia members near Kassa in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State, amid renewed concerns over escalating attacks and reprisals across several communities in the state.
Security analyst and counter insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, in a post on X on Monday, said the incident occurred on Sunday evening as the victims were returning from Kara Bukuru Market.
The injured, identified as Ibrahim Idris, Samaila Usman and Yahuza Abdulmumi Alhaji Yako, all from Mangu Local Government Area, were reportedly intercepted by armed assailants and shot. They were later evacuated for medical treatment.
The latest attack comes against the backdrop of a series of violent incidents involving residents, herders and livestock in Barkin Ladi, Riyom, Jos South, Bassa and Mangu local government areas over the past two weeks, highlighting persistent tensions between farming and pastoral communities.
Less than 24 hours before the Kassa incident, two persons were reportedly killed in Sabon Gida community in Jos South Local Government Area. Troops of Sector 6 under Operation Enduring Peace, responding to reports of an attack on cattle on June 6, recovered the bodies of the victims with gunshot wounds. Security personnel also found five dead cattle and four others injured.
In Mangu Local Government Area, one resident, Muhammad Saidu, sustained gunshot injuries after suspected attackers reportedly opened fire while cattle were grazing in Kikyua II community. Troops responding to the incident discovered three dead cows and three others with gunshot wounds.
According to Makama, security agencies have also recorded several attacks on livestock in recent days. On June 5, troops responded to separate incidents in Sabon Gida and Nyerwie communities of Jos South and Barkin Ladi local government areas, where cattle were killed by armed assailants who fled before security operatives arrived.
The same day, troops of Sector 3 recovered 28 cattle allegedly rustled from a herder in Gero community, Jos South Local Government Area, after a search operation forced suspected rustlers to abandon the animals. The cattle were subsequently returned to their owner.
Earlier incidents were reported in Riyom Local Government Area, including attacks on cattle in Torok village on May 29 and June 1, as well as the alleged rustling of 13 cows and five sheep in Tahoss community. Troops had since intensified patrols and launched investigations to prevent retaliatory attacks.
The violence follows a deadly attack on May 31 in Gwon-Ajang village, Foron District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where eight persons were reportedly killed and more than 15 others injured. The attack further heightened tensions in the area and triggered fears of reprisals.
Security agencies have also stepped-up enforcement measures aimed at reducing friction between herders and farmers. In Bassa Local Government Area, troops intercepted dozens of cattle grazing in restricted areas around Miango and arrested two herders for alleged violations of grazing restrictions.
Despite sustained military operations, community engagements and peacebuilding efforts by security agencies, attacks on residents, herders, livestock and farmlands continue to fuel mutual accusations and deepen mistrust among affected communities.
Security analysts warn that seemingly isolated incidents such as cattle killings, rustling, destruction of farmlands and attacks on herders often serve as triggers for wider retaliatory violence, making early intervention critical to preventing further escalation across Plateau State.
