16-year-old herder killed in Plateau

A 16-year-old herder, Abas Sani, has been reportedly slaughtered in Tegway village, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State.

The Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Yakubu Idris, told Daily Trust on Friday that Sani was killed while rearing cattle in the area, adding that his corpse was dumped by a riverside.

He said, “The herder was tending to his cattle when he was slaughtered. The perpetrators then took his body and dumped it by the riverside. They also placed a stone on him. The corpse was discovered with efforts of personnel of Sector 3 of Operation Safe Haven stationed in the area.”

Explaining further how the incident occurred, the chairman said in the evening of Thursday, the cattle Sani was rearing returned home without him.

“We waited until nightfall but did not see him. We then concluded that all was not well with him because it was unusual for the cattle to return without him. Subsequently, we reported the matter to the OPHS, who assisted in locating the body,” he added.

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Idris also said he had informed the security agencies in the area, including the Divisional Police Officer of Bassa and sector commander of the OPSH, adding that “I am currently at the police divisional headquarters of the Bassa LGA where we reported the case to the DPO.”

The chairman also disclosed that two weeks ago, five cattle belonging to his members were poisoned in the area and the incident was reported to the OPSH.

He said, “It is irritating and uncalled for. We are calling on the government and other security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the acts. We want peace with everyone,” he added.

Our correspondent reports that Bassa LGA had been peaceful for some time until the recent incidents of cattle poisoning and killing of the herder.