The Plateau State Police Command has said it was in search of two missing herders while confirming that 319 cows have been killed around Miango district of Bassa local government area of Plateau State.
A statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Tyopev Terna however said the attack on herders came a day after unidentified gunmen killed one Jummai Jah and Emmanuel Ishaya. He said their seven-month-old baby had survived and was receiving treatment at a hospital.
He said information received by the police also emphasised that Monday Audu of Rotsu village also in Miango District had been shot and matcheted to death.
“While the investigation into these crimes were ongoing, the Command on 30/04/2019 at about 07:30hrs received information that about 319 cattle were attacked and killed, 12 cattle were maimed while 11 cattle were rustled,” he said.
He further stated that two cattle rearers; Mubarak Yakubu and Shehu Saidu both male of different addresses were missing and that the command had mobilised a search and rescue team to rescue the missing rearers while efforts were on the way to track the attackers.
DSP Terna was however, silent on the killing of 29 cows in Kuru, Jos South which had occurred almost simultaneously with the 319 in Bassa.
He stressed that the command had mobilised a combined team of Police Mobile Force (PMF) and Detective personnel to the affected areas to maintain law and order.
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria In Plateau State however, said a blood stained shirt belonging to one of the herders and one leg of his shoe had been found on the crime scene.
MACBAN Chairman, Muhammad Nuru Abdullahi said this was the fifth attack on herders since this year in Basa local government area.
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