One herder has been killed, and two others sustained gunshot injuries following an attack by Berom Militia in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State, prompting calls for justice and renewed efforts to prevent further violence in the area.

Security expert, Zagazola Makama who disclosed this in a report on Friday, said troops of Operation Enduring Peace responded to a distress call at about 4:00 p.m. on June 18 following reports of an attack on Fulani herders in a bush area around Torok Community in Rim District of Riyom LGA.

Quoting sources, Makama said troops of Sector 6 were immediately deployed to the scene after the distress call.

Upon arrival, the troops discovered the corpse of a Fulani man identified as Abdul Samaila, while two other victims were found with gunshot wounds.

The injured victims were evacuated to a nearby hospital for medical treatment, while troops commenced domination patrols and a manhunt for the attackers, who had fled before the arrival of security personnel.

“The troops responded promptly to the report and found one victim dead and two others injured. The wounded victims were evacuated for medical attention, while efforts are ongoing to track down the perpetrators,” a security source said.

Meanwhile, the Fulani Community in Riyom Local Government Area has condemned the attack, describing it as tragic and unfortunate.

In a statement issued on Friday, community leaders alleged that the victims were attacked by armed persons while grazing in the Torok area.

The community identified the deceased as Abdurrahman Ibrahim, 25, from Bangai settlement, while the injured victims were named as Abbas Saidu, 18, and Bashiru Rabi’u, 15.

The statement expressed condolences to the family of the deceased and wished the injured victims a speedy recovery.

Operatives of the Kwara State Police Command have arrested eight suspected cultists and recovered firearms and dangerous weapons during coordinated operations across the Ilorin metropolis.

DAILY POST reports that the arrest is coming barely a week after four people were killed, two gravely injured and two arrested in a fierce shooting incident by suspected cultists around the Post Office area of Ilorin metropolis.

A statement by the spokesperson of the command, Adetoun Ejire Adeyemi, in Ilorin on Friday, said “Operatives of the Anti-Cultism Unit, in collaboration with other tactical teams of the command, acted on credible intelligence and conducted a targeted raid at a suspected cultist’s hideout located in the Akuo and Fagba Area, of Ilorin metropolis.

“The operation led to the arrest of eight suspected cultists, and identified as Ismail Sodiq ‘M’ 35yrs, ⁠Ibrahim Saheed ‘M’ 26yrs, Feyikemi Odoje ‘F’ 28yrs, Ishola Faisat F’ 23yrs, Abubakar Zainab ‘F’ 22yrs, Azeez Olarenwaju ‘M’ 27yrs, Soliu Ibrahim ‘M’ 22yrs, and Abdulbasit Abdulkadir ‘M’ 24yrs.”

Adeyemi, revealed that during the operations, a cache of dangerous weapons and other incriminating items were recovered. 

The exhibits recovered include two locally made pistols, one pump-action shotgun, two cut-to-size shotguns, 25 expended cartridges and other dangerous weapons capable of being used to facilitate violent crimes and threaten public safety.

She said an investigation is ongoing to establish the extent of each suspect’s involvement, identify other members of the criminal network, and apprehend fleeing accomplices, while those found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo, attributed the operational success to the intelligence-led policing strategy of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, reaffirming the command’s commitment to combating cultism and other violent crimes through proactive policing and public collaboration.

The Delta State Commissioner of Police, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, has commenced enforcement of the ban on vehicles without registration number plates, as well as those using concealed, obscured, altered, defaced, or otherwise unreadable number plates, within Asaba and its environs.

The police say the exercise is part of efforts to strengthen public safety, enhance crime prevention, and improve vehicle identification for security.

Following the operation, 26 vehicles found to be operating in violation of extant vehicle registration regulations have been impounded. 

The offending motorists were subsequently arraigned before a Mobile Court sitting in Asaba for the relevant offences.

Speaking during the exercise, Oyeniyi urged vehicle owners to comply with vehicle registration requirements and ensure the proper display of approved number plates.

He stressed that the enforcement is aimed at enhancing security and promoting compliance with the law.

Oyeniyi also warned that the Command would sustain the operation across Delta State and directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to ensure strict compliance with the directive across all Area Commands, Divisions, and tactical formations.