Many Cows Poisoned, Shot Dead By Suspected Berom Militia

Nigerian Police, Plateau State Command has confirmed the poisoning of seven cows and the killing of three others in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area of the state.

The incident reportedly occurred around 7pm on January 11 along the axis between Kwi and Heipang villages in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area.

An X post shared by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert, Zagazola Makama, said the matter was reported to the police in the early hours of Monday, January 12 by the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Barkin Ladi, identified as Alhaji Tambari.

Tambari said the affected cattle belonged to a herder identified as Yau Yusuf.

Police sources said preliminary findings revealed that seven of the cows were poisoned, while three others were shot dead, with the attack allegedly carried out by members of a suspected Birom militia operating in the area.

Following the report, the Divisional Police Officer in Barkin Ladi reportedly mobilised a team of officers to the scene to assess the situation and gather evidence.

The police said investigations had commenced, adding that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest those responsible, as authorities move to prevent a possible escalation of tension in the area.

In a related incident in December 2025, the MACBAN reported that several cattle belonging to its members were killed after being poisoned while grazing around Kwi village in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.

Ibrahim Babayo, state chairman of the association, reported the incident. He added that in the previous week, six cows similarly died in the same village after they were allegedly poisoned.

According to the MACBAN chairman, the group informed the sector commander of Operation Enduring Peace in Barikin Ladi LGA, who later deployed personnel of the operation to visit the scene of the incident.