Fulani Herders invade school, kill teachers, shoot VP, others In Nigeria

Suspected gunmen believed to be killer herdsmen have tragically claimed the lives of two teachers and wounded the Vice Principal (VP) of BECO Comprehensive School in Kwi, located in the Riyom Local Council of Plateau State.

Over the past three months, Riyom, Mangu, and Barakin-Ladi local councils have experienced repeated attacks by gunmen, resulting in fatalities and significant property damage, including destruction of farmlands.

The Principal of the school, Mr. Dantoro Gyang, verified the incident, explaining that during a routine meeting on Monday around 2:00 p.m., a group of herdsmen entered the school premises with their cattle for grazing. Security personnel stationed at the school confronted them, initiating an inquiry.

As the security personnel questioned the intruders, the school staff emerged from their meeting to assess the situation. Mr. Gyang recounted, “While we were attempting to urge them to leave the school premises, two of them suddenly brandished firearms, pulled the triggers, and fatally shot two of our teachers. The Vice Principal (Administration), Mr. Dalyop Ibrahim, and another individual sustained gunshot wounds to the abdomen.”

Mr. Gyang further revealed that one of the wounded individuals is currently receiving medical treatment at the General Hospital in Riyom, while the vice principal was transferred to the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH) for more advanced care.

The BEROM Youth Moulders Association (BYM) has unequivocally labeled this attack as an act of terrorism. Solomon Dalyop, the President of BYM, asserted that unless open grazing is prohibited, the herdsmen will persist in terrorizing both the state’s residents and the broader Middle Belt region. Dalyop conveyed his grief over the distressing incident, expressing that it was difficult to elaborate on the matter due to its deeply poignant and sorrowful nature.

Responding to the incident, the spokesperson for the Plateau State Police Command, DSP Alfred Alabo, conveyed the command’s condolences to the victims. He assured the media that the police would share further information about the heinous act as soon as additional details became available.