Three killed in Plateau amid livestock poisoning tensions

Tensions have escalated in Plateau State following a deadly attack on Hurum village in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where three people were killed in what security sources described as a reprisal incident.

The victims were identified as Clement Polycarp, 35; Pankat Moses, 32; and Jonathan Danladi, 12. Two other residents sustained gunshot injuries during the late-night assault, which occurred at about 10 p.m.

According to security reports, armed assailants stormed the community, opened fire on residents, and fled into nearby mountainous terrain. Joint security teams responded swiftly and engaged the attackers, but they escaped due to the difficult landscape.

The injured victims were taken to a hospital in Barkin Ladi for treatment, while additional security personnel have been deployed to prevent further violence and track down those responsible.

The attack comes less than 48 hours after a suspected livestock poisoning incident in the same local government area. Nine cattle were reported dead and three others left in critical condition in Rakum village, Kassa District, after allegedly grazing on a toxic substance.

Security operatives had earlier responded to reports of the incident, discovering the affected animals in grazing fields under suspicious circumstances, raising concerns about deliberate contamination.

Authorities say the latest violence reflects an ongoing cycle of reprisals in parts of Plateau, where attacks are often followed by counter-attacks.

Communities in Barkin Ladi and surrounding areas have repeatedly faced clashes linked to disputes involving livestock, grazing, and alleged targeted attacks, with both herders and farmers suffering losses.

Despite ongoing security operations, concerns persist over the recurring nature of the violence, as perpetrators are rarely deterred and tensions remain high.

Investigations into both the killings and the livestock poisoning are ongoing, while security presence in the area has been reinforced to prevent further escalation.