Gunmen kill one, injure seven Plateau traders

By Golok Nanmwa

JOS — Gunmen on Sunday evening opened fire on traders returning from the Kara Bukuru Livestock Market in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, killing one person and injuring seven others.

The victim was identified as Musa Abubakar.

The incident occurred at about 7pm around the Bukuru Low-Cost area, according to sources who spoke to our correspondent.

The Plateau State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, confirmed and condemned the attack, calling on security agencies to investigate the incident and bring those responsible to justice.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Alhaji Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, MACBAN described the incident as disturbing, saying the victims were returning from their lawful business activities.

“This unfortunate incident is deeply disturbing and represents yet another attack against innocent herders who were peacefully returning from their lawful business activities,” Babayo said.

He urged the Nigeria Police Force, Operation Safe Haven, the Department of State Services, DSS, and other security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the incident.

Babayo recalled that five herders were reportedly killed on September 20, 2026, around Kassa in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area while returning from the same Kara Bukuru Livestock Market.

He also recalled that traders were attacked near the Conoil Filling Station in December last year while returning from the market.

According to him, the recurrence of such incidents had heightened fear and insecurity among pastoralists and traders who depend on the market for their livelihoods.

“No Nigerian should be attacked or killed because of his or her ethnic background or occupation,” he said.

The MACBAN chairman called on the Plateau State Government and security agencies to strengthen security along the Kara Bukuru market route and take measures to prevent further attacks.

He also appealed to members of the association to remain calm and law-abiding and refrain from any form of retaliation.

Babayo said MACBAN remained committed to peaceful coexistence with communities across Plateau State, stressing that lasting peace could only be achieved through justice, fairness and equal protection of citizens irrespective of ethnicity or occupation.