By: Zagazola Makama
The Nigerian Army troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE have arrested three Berom militia and recovered 84 rustled cattle during a search and rescue operation after attack on Fulani pastoralist in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Security sources told Zagazola Makama that troops of Sector 6, deployed at Dokku, responded at about 5:00 p.m. on April 22 to a report of cattle rustling behind Makera market.
On arrival, the troops immediately launched a search and rescue operation in the area, tracking the movement of the rustled livestock to a riverine location.
The sources said all 84 cattle were successfully recovered and returned to their rightful owner.
Three suspects believed to be connected to the rustling incident were also apprehended and are currently in military custody for further investigation.
Zagazola had, in a series of reports, documented how cattle rustling, livestock poisoning and attacks on pastoralists and their livelihoods across communities in Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, Riyom and other parts of Plateau State have become major drivers of the protracted crisis in the state. Criminal youths, sometimes allegedly acting with the support of their communities and traditional rulers, have continued to carry out coordinated attacks.
One such case occurred on April 19, 2026, when security operatives in Nasarawa State intercepted stolen livestock allegedly rustled from Bokkos in Plateau State and sold through illicit channels.
Police sources said the breakthrough followed credible intelligence received by the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) in Lafia regarding suspicious cattle being traded at the Lafia cattle market.
Acting on the tip-off, detectives mobilised to the market and arrested one Alhaji Ziya-U Inusa, a resident of Dengi in Plateau State, who was found in possession of eleven cows suspected to have been stolen.
During interrogation, the suspect reportedly confessed to purchasing twelve cows from a paramount ruler in Plateau State (name withheld), but transported only eleven due to limited vehicle capacity.
Further investigation led to the identification of one Abdullahi Adamu from Bokkos Local Government Area, who claimed ownership of the recovered livestock.
Adamu explained that the cows were part of a larger herd of 57 cattle rustled in May 2025 by armed youths in Bokkos, adding that previous efforts to recover them had failed until the recent operation.
Security sources confirmed that the recovered cattle have been secured, while investigations are ongoing to unravel the network involved in the rustling and illicit sale, including the alleged roles of intermediaries and buyers.
Zagazola has consistently reported incidents involving suspected Berom militia engaging in livestock theft. In several cases, victims—mostly Fulani herders—were reportedly killed and buried in shallow graves, while in other instances, security forces intercepted suspects and recovered stolen livestock.
The latest such incident occurred on April 16, when troops under Operation ENDURING PEACE responded to a rustling incident in Mangu Local Government Area, where the suspects fled before the arrival of security personnel.
Similarly, on April 15, troops recovered 48 rustled cattle in Yelwa village, Heipang District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, following a distress call received at about 6:35 a.m.
In another operation on April 13, troops foiled an attempted cattle rustling in Bassa Local Government Area, recovering 92 cattle after pursuing suspects who abandoned the animals while fleeing.
Zagazola reports that such incidents remain a major trigger for cycles of reprisal attacks, further escalating tensions in affected communities.
