Forces in the Joint Security Task Force Operation Haven (OPSH), which maintains peace in the Plateau State, have recovered the body of a missing 16-year-old herder and retrieved more than 50 rustling cattle in the Aliri community in the Barcelona local government area.
Recovery took place on Friday, April 11, following efforts coordinated by the troops and local herders.
The deceased was identified as Abdullahi Muhammad, who has been missing while grazing cattle in the area. The report shows that more than 70 cows were rustling at the time of the incident. However, although Danjuma Auta, secretary general of the Aligway Development Association (IDA), had refused, claiming that there were no cattle rustling in the area, but that the community members were allegedly killed recently, the operation led to rustling and grim discoveries.
Ya’u Idris, president of the Mira Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Barcelona Nigeria (MACBAN), confirmed the recovery of Abdulahi’s body. He said the bodies were found in shallow graves near the riverfront in the Ariri average area. The body showed signs of cruel dismemberment, with the head reportedly decapitated and the left hand cut off.
“We have excavated the bodies and brought them home for funerals. More than 80% of the cattle have been rescued. We thank the security forces, especially the OPSH personnel, for their efforts to restore the bodies and the recovery of the cattle,” Idris said.
The official response efforts from Safe Haven spokesman Major Samson Zhakom and Plateau State Police spokesman DSP Alabo Alfred failed because neither of these reports responded to journalists at the time of this report.
