The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) has dismissed allegations by the Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) claiming that suspected Berom militias killed three herders in Tanjol, Riyom Local Government Area, on Sunday.
Earlier, MACBAN, through a statement signed by its Plateau State Chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, alleged that a group of armed Berom youths ambushed herders who were grazing cattle in the area, killing three of them and leaving two others injured.
Responding to the claims, BYM, in a statement issued by its National Publicity Secretary, Rwang Tengwom, rejected the allegations, describing them as false and misleading. The association also criticised the circulation of the report on social media by the media team of the Gan Allah Fulani Development Association (GAFDAN).
According to BYM, the narrative presented by MACBAN was a deliberate distortion of the events surrounding the attack on the Tanjol community. The group insisted that the violence was carried out by suspected Fulani terrorists and not by Berom youths as alleged.
“The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), under the leadership of Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri is deeply alarmed by yet another calculated attempt to distort the truth surrounding the continuous terrorist attacks on indigenous communities in Plateau State.
“A Facebook account operating under the name Gafdan Media Team falsely claimed that three herders were ambushed and killed by Berom people around the Jol axis of Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State,” the BYM statement said.
Tengwong said the allegations were not only false but also part of what he described as a recurring propaganda tactic allegedly used by the attackers to justify planned acts of violence against communities in Plateau State.
“This narrative is not only false but is a dangerous propaganda campaign designed to conceal the atrocities committed by armed terrorists while criminalising victims who are defending their communities,” Tengwong stated.
He went on to narrate what he said was the true position of things.
“The facts are clear. On Sunday afternoon, armed Fulani terrorists from Mahanga, a community from which they had displaced the natives from and grabbed, invaded the Jol community in Riyom LGA, launching an unprovoked attack on innocent residents.
“During the assault, Mr. Thomas Damang, 48, was murdered, while Ishaku Pam (22), Ezra Yakubu (28), and Shedrack Danladi (34) sustained gunshot injuries. The attackers met resistance from local vigilantes working alongside security personnel.
“In the ensuing confrontation, three terrorists were neutralised, and five others sustained injuries, forcing the remaining attackers to retreat. Contrary to the false report by Gafdan Media Team, those killed were not innocent herders but members of the armed group that attacked the community.
“This recurring pattern of misinformation raises grave concerns. Every time terrorists are confronted by security personnel or local defenders, certain platforms quickly circulate fabricated stories portraying the attackers as innocent herders while ignoring the innocent civilians killed in the attacks.
“Such propaganda emboldens terrorists, undermines security operations, and frustrates efforts to achieve justice for victims.
“BYM is convinced that the operators of the Gafdan Media Team Facebook account have repeatedly demonstrated knowledge and narratives that align with the interests of terrorist groups operating in Plateau State. This pattern warrants urgent investigation.
“We call on the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and other security agencies to immediately identify, investigate, and prosecute those behind this platform. Information warfare is an integral part of modern terrorism, and individuals who deliberately spread falsehood to shield violent criminals must be held accountable under the law.
“We also call on the Federal Government, the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, the international community, and global media to pay close attention to the coordinated campaign of disinformation surrounding the Plateau crisis.
“The manipulation of facts not only denies justice to victims but also enables the continuation of attacks against vulnerable communities.”
BACKSTORY:
Plateau State has remained one of Nigeria’s most volatile regions due to recurring clashes involving farming communities, herders, and armed groups. Communities in Riyom, Barkin Ladi, Bassa, Mangu, and several other local government areas have experienced repeated attacks over the years, resulting in hundreds of deaths, injuries, and the displacement of thousands of residents.
The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) is a socio-cultural group representing the interests of the Berom ethnic nationality, while the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) represents the interests of cattle breeders and pastoralists. Both organisations have frequently exchanged accusations following violent incidents in Plateau, often offering conflicting accounts of the causes and perpetrators of attacks.
In recent years, the Plateau State Government, security agencies, and community leaders have repeatedly called for restraint, warning against inflammatory statements capable of escalating tensions. Authorities have also urged residents to allow security agencies to investigate incidents before drawing conclusions or assigning blame.
The latest disagreement between BYM and MACBAN comes amid renewed security concerns in parts of Plateau State, where communities continue to grapple with attacks, reprisals, and allegations between different groups. The incident highlights the persistent challenges facing efforts to restore lasting peace in the state despite ongoing security operations and dialogue initiatives.
