By Hauwau Shehu MaikeffiÂ
At least 37 cattle were shot dead in the Tashek community of Riyom Local Government Area in Plateau State on Sunday afternoon. The attack occurred around 1:00 PM when gunmen opened fire on the grazing herd, resulting in the deaths of the animals and injuries to a herder. 
Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, representing the state chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), condemned the incident as unprovoked and part of a series of attacks targeting herders in the region. He described the assault as a calculated act by the assailants to fulfill a concealed agenda. 
Following the incident, Babayo promptly contacted the sector commander of Operation Safe Haven in Riyom, leading to the deployment of troops to the location for assessment. He also notified various security agency leaders in the state, including the commander of OPSH, the General Officer Commanding the 3rd Division, the police commissioner, and the State Director of Security (SDS), all of whom acknowledged the report and advised against taking the law into our own hands while efforts are underway to apprehend the offenders. 
This attack follows closely on the heels of a similar event in the Tanjol community, also within Riyom LGA, where gunmen targeted herders, resulting in injuries to two herders and the death of five cattle. 
