Troops of the Nigerian Army operating under Operation Enduring Peace have arrested three suspected militia members and recovered 84 stolen cattle following an attack on Fulani pastoralists in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
The operation was highlighted by security analyst and counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama in a post shared on his X account.
According to security sources, troops attached to Sector 6 and deployed in Dokku responded swiftly to a distress report of cattle rustling behind Makera market at about 5:00 p.m. on April 22.
Upon arrival, the soldiers launched a coordinated search and rescue effort, tracking the movement of the stolen livestock through nearby terrain. Their efforts led them to a riverine location, where the rustled cattle were found.
All 84 animals were successfully recovered and returned to their rightful owner, marking a significant intervention by the troops.
In the course of the operation, three individuals suspected to be involved in the attack were apprehended. They are currently being held in military custody as investigations continue.
The incident comes at a time of heightened concern over cattle rustling and related violence across Plateau State. Attacks on livestock and pastoral communities have remained a persistent source of tension, often triggering retaliatory violence and prolonging conflict in affected areas.
Communities in local government areas such as Barkin Ladi, Bokkos, Mangu, and Riyom have experienced repeated clashes linked to livestock theft and reprisal attacks, making security interventions like this critical to stabilisation efforts.
Security sources warn that without sustained action, these incidents could continue to fuel cycles of violence and undermine ongoing peace-building initiatives in the state.
