Gunmen have killed three herders along the Dorowa–Jong road in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The victims were attacked on Thursday night, February 19, 2026.
The Plateau State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ibrahim Babayo, confirmed the incident to journalists in Jos on Friday.
According to Babayo, the victims were ambushed while returning to the Jong community after attending Qur’an Tafsir in Dorowa at about 7:30 p.m.
“The perpetrators shot the victims and used sharp objects to sever the head of one of them. It was a brutal attack that should be condemned by all,” he said.
Babayo alleged that the attack was carried out by members of the Berom community, accusing them of previous acts of violence against MACBAN members and their cattle.
“We condemn this act in the strongest terms and call on authorities to investigate and bring the perpetrators to justice,” he said. “This is not the first time our people have been targeted. We seek protection and justice. We will not be provoked, but we demand action from the state and federal governments to safeguard our people and livestock.”
However, the National President of the Berom Youth Moulders Association, Solomon Mwantiri, denied any involvement, describing the allegations as unfounded.
“The security forces, including soldiers and the DPO in Barkin Ladi, have visited the scene of the incident,” he said.
Babayo urged members of the association to remain calm and law-abiding while security agencies handle the situation.
The spokesperson for Operation Enduring Peace, Captain Chinonso Polycarp Oteh, also confirmed the attack.
“The command received information about the incident around 11 p.m. on Thursday, and personnel were immediately deployed to the scene,” Oteh said.
He added that the General Officer Commanding 3 Division and Commander of Operation Enduring Peace had expressed concern over the killings and vowed to apprehend those responsible. An investigation is ongoing.
Oteh said the GOC appealed to the affected families to remain calm and allow security agencies to determine those behind the attack.
