Three persons, 319 cattle killed in Plateau

The Plateau state police command has confirmed the killing of three persons and 319 cattle in different attacks in Miango district of Bassa local government area of the state.

A statement by Tyopev Terna, police public relations officer, also said two herders went missing during the attacks.

Terna said the attacks on the herders occurred a day after some unidentified gunmen killed three persons in different villages of the local government area.

He added that a 7-month old baby was also injured during the attack but receiving treatment in the hospital.

“The Plateau State Police Command, Jos, received information on 29/04 /2019 at about 0800hrs to the effect that unknown gunmen attacked Maiyanga area of Miango District,” he said.

“As a result, one Jummai Jah ‘f’ 25yrs and Emmanuel Ishaya ‘m’ 37yrs were killed. A 7-month old girl, Tabitha, survived with a neck injury and is receiving treatment at Enos Hospital at Miango.

‘The information also emphasised that Monday Audu of Rotsu village also in Miango District was shot and macheted to death.

“While the investigation into these crimes were ongoing, the Command on 30/04 /2019 at about 0730hrs received information that about 319 cattle were attacked and killed, 12 cattle were maimed while 11 cattle were rustled.

“Two cattle rearers: one Mubarak Yakubu and one Shehu Saidu, both males of different addresses, were missing. All these allegedly took place in Billi and Ariri in Miango District.”

Terna noted that a search and rescue team has been mobilised by the command to rescue the missing herders while efforts are being made to track and arrest the attackers.

Several efforts made by the government to settle the dispute between herders and farmers of the state have yielded no result. The continued clashes between the two over grazing rights and resources have led to lost of lives and cattle.