Troops Rescue Injured Farmer, Seize 27 Cattle After Violent Herders’ Attacks in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
Troops of Sector 8, Operation Enduring Peace have rescued an injured farmer and confiscated 27 cattle following separate incidents involving suspected violent herders in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Intelligence sources told Zagazola Makama that the first incident occurred at about 4:05 p.m. on Aug. 3 when troops deployed at Komtul responded to a distress call over an attack on a farmer, Kopdi Istifanus, at his farmland in Maraban Village, Pushit District.
The sources said the troops’ swift intervention forced the suspected herders to flee, while the injured farmer was rescued and evacuated to Miton Clinic, Pushit, for medical treatment.
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In a related development at about 6:57 p.m. the same day, troops responded to another report of herders allegedly attacking farmers across the Bwor River in Mangu LGA.
On arrival, the troops reportedly sighted some herders chasing farmers away from their farmlands while armed with knives.
According to the sources, the situation became violent when the herders allegedly attempted to attack the troops with a knife during efforts to restore order.
The troops consequently fired two rounds of 7.62 x 39mm special ammunition to subdue the assailants, who abandoned the knife and fled the scene, leaving behind their livestock.
Security personnel recovered the knife and confiscated 27 cattle belonging to the fleeing herders for further necessary action.
Troops are maintaining dominance in the general area, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspects and prevent further attacks on farming communities.