Two herders were shot dead and several cows stolen when gunmen attacked a Fulani settlement in Zukpatu community on Tuesday night. The camp, which lies on the border between Kuje Area Council of the FCT and Toto Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, came under fire at around 9:47 p.m.
According to resident Yahaya Ibrahim, the herders were migrating with their cattle and sheep from Azzara in Kaduna State toward Nasarawa State when the assailants, armed with sophisticated weapons, emerged from the Dogon-Dutse forest near Gadabuke.
“They opened fire and killed two of the men,” he said. “Three others were hit, including one woman.”
The attackers made off with several cows and sheep. Despite sporadic shooting, local leaders say vigilante groups from Zukpatu, Sabo, Gadoro and Agweh villages have mobilised alongside members of the Miyetti Allah to pursue the gunmen in hopes of recovering the stolen stock.
The three injured herders were first taken to the Zukpatu health centre, but found it locked due to an ongoing strike. They were then transferred to a facility in Gadabuke, Toto LGA of Nasarawa State, where they are currently receiving treatment.
A community leader, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed that further vigilante patrols entered the nearby Nasarawa forest on Wednesday morning.
“Our aim is to trace the bandits and bring back the animals,” he said.
Efforts to reach the FCT Police Command for comment were unsuccessful. The command’s spokeswoman, SP Josephine Adeh, was not available at the time of filing this report.
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