Military search for ‘missing’ herder causes tension in Jos community

Mild tension has been reported in Dong village of Jos North Local Government Area, Plateau State, following an early morning search for a “missing” herder by Special Military Task Force operatives.

The community, locals say was flooded with armed military personnel as early as 6am, led by neighboring herders.

A young cattle herder was reported missing on Sunday hours after he and few others were escorted out of the community by federal securities while grazing indiscriminately into residential buildings, it was learnt.

Herders from the missing boy’s community came to the Dong community at night and were accompanied on a search operation by local youths, a Community Leader, Daniel Choji said.

The operation was called off after hours without success but resumed Monday morning, led by the army.

The missing boy was later found dead in the bushes and a community stakeholders meeting scheduled for 4pm.

Tension however began to grow when a local farmer was reportedly arrested before the corpse was discovered, bringing back memories of last year’s military excesses causing deaths in Rukuba Road and Angwan Rukuba communities, located few meters away from Dong.

Armed attacks have also occured in the past, in parts of the State after similar incidences of missing herders or cattle.