5 herders killed as gunmen ambush a cattle transport vehicle in Nigeria

Five herders were killed on Sunday evening in an attack in the Kassa community of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, Plateau State, Nigeria. The victims—Buhari Yusuf, Aminu Ahmad, Nasiru Abdullahi, Gambo Abubakar, and Muhammad Abdul Rahman—were transporting cattle from Bokkos to Jos South in a J5 vehicle when gunmen opened fire around 3 p.m., killing the herders and the cattle. Two other occupants of the vehicle sustained injuries and were taken to hospital.

The deceased were buried on Monday at the Muslim Cemetery in Bokkos. During the burial, Lt. Col. Luke Adejo, sector commander of Operation Enduring Peace in Bokkos, condemned the attack and urged the herding community to remain calm and refrain from retaliation. Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), also condemned the killings and called on security forces to investigate and take action against those responsible.

In response to a broader wave of violence, the Plateau State Government imposed an immediate dusk-to-dawn curfew on Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Mangu local government areas. The measure, effective from Monday, September 21, 2026, restricts movement between 6 p.m. and 6 a.m. until further notice. State Commissioner for Information and Communication Joyce Ramnap said the curfew aims to maintain public order, prevent a breakdown of law and order, and allow security operatives to stabilize the area and protect lives. Security personnel have been directed to enforce the order.

Reports indicate that more than 20 people, including women, were killed over two days in attacks across Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, and Riyom local government areas, with many houses also burned.