Plateau Tension: Fulani Group Alleges Attack on Herders, Cow Poisoning in Riyom Community

Association calls for security intervention to prevent reprisal attacks

A Fulani socio-cultural group in Plateau State has raised alarm over alleged attacks on herders and the poisoning of cattle in Riyom Local Government Area, warning that the incidents could escalate tensions if not urgently addressed.

The Gan Allah Fulani Development Association of Nigeria (GAFDAN), Plateau chapter, made the claims in a statement issued on Tuesday through its media arm.

According to the group, the latest incident occurred on Monday, February 2, 2026, in Kwi community, where it alleged that armed assailants attacked herders while they were grazing their cattle.

GAFDAN claimed the attackers opened fire, forcing the herders to flee, and made away with an unspecified number of cows. The group described the attackers as members of a “Berom ethnic militia,” an allegation yet to be independently verified.

Allegation of Poisoned Cattle

The association also alleged that days before the attack, three cows died after consuming what it described as poison-laced oranges placed in the grazing area.

The cows reportedly belonged to Alhaji Abdullahi Abdulkadir and Yau Sale.

“The incident has been reported to the relevant authorities and we are calling on security agencies to apprehend the perpetrators of these heinous acts to avoid any form of reprisal attacks that could lead to loss of lives and property,” the statement read.

Security agencies in Plateau State have not yet issued an official response to the allegations at the time of filing this report.