One herder has been killed and more than 100 cattle slaughtered in a series of coordinated attacks in Jos South and Riyom Local Government Areas of Plateau State, officials confirmed on Wednesday.

The attacks, which occurred between Tuesday evening and Wednesday morning, have further escalated tensions in a region already plagued by recurring farmer-herder conflicts.

According to Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, the Plateau State Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), the first attack took place on Tuesday, May 13, in Gero community of Jos South LGA, where assailants stormed grazing fields, opened fire on herders, and killed approximately 70 cows.

"They butchered some of the cattle and carted away the meat. Troops from Operation Safe Haven intervened and arrested three suspects in possession of the meat," Babayo stated.

Three herders sustained injuries during the attack and are currently receiving treatment at separate medical facilities in Jos, including the Military Hospital in Rukuba Barracks.

The violence continued the following day, Wednesday, May 14, when attackers targeted Darwat community in Riyom LGA, where over 40 additional cows were reportedly shot and butchered.

Babayo accused members of the Berom ethnic group of orchestrating the violence, claiming the attacks were unprovoked and coordinated. However, the leadership of the Berom Youth Movement has denied these allegations, describing them as propaganda.

"There was no provocation. It was a coordinated and unprovoked attack. We no longer feel safe," Babayo emphasized.

The MACBAN secretary further revealed that these incidents are part of a pattern of recent attacks targeting Fulani herders. On Monday, May 12, one herder was declared missing and 41 cattle were rustled in Bisichi community.

"These killings are happening almost daily, seemingly to provoke us. We call on the government and the international community to take note and intervene," he added.

MACBAN has urged its members to remain calm and avoid retaliation while calling on security agencies to bring the perpetrators to justice.

As of press time, the Plateau State Police Command had not issued an official statement regarding the attacks.

The incidents have raised concerns about the fragile security situation in Plateau State, where farmer-herder conflicts have claimed numerous lives and destroyed property worth millions of naira in recent years.