Youths under the aegis of Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) in Plateau, north-central Nigeria, have raised concerns that members of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) are attempting to protect “the suspect arrested in connection with the 5 April 2026, attack on Pwomol Village in Heipang District of Barkin Ladi Local Government Area” from prosecution.
In a statement signed by the National Publicity Secretary of Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM), Rwang Tengwong, the socio-cultural association claimed that it “received credible intelligence from an anonymous but reliable source indicating that the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) is allegedly making desperate efforts to procure a questionable medical certificate claiming that the suspect arrested… is mentally unstable.”
Titled “MACBAN’s Plan to Shield Arrested Heipang Attack Suspect Exposed,” the statement alleged that
“According to the intelligence report available to the Association, the alleged plan is to present the medical certificate to the Special Task Force (STF) under Operation Enduring Peace as grounds to pressure the authorities to release the suspect or face the threat of legal action.”
In an earlier statement dated 6 April 2026, Tengwong claimed that “one of the attackers, identified as Suleiman, a Fulani man from Fass community in Riyom Local Government Area, was apprehended alive at about 1:00 a.m.”
He disclosed that “The suspect was arrested around the Redemption Camp area between Heipang and Kassa, with blood stains reportedly found on his body,” adding that “He is currently in the custody of security operatives at Sector 4 in Barkin Ladi.”
Meanwhile, the BYM under the leadership of its National President, Barr. Dalyop Solomon Mwantiri underlined that it “views this alleged move as a deliberate and desperate attempt to obstruct justice and shield an individual who reportedly participated in the attack that claimed three innocent lives in Pwomol community.”
Further making its position clear on the matter, the group affirmed that “any such attempt must be rejected outright,” adding that “Should any questionable medical certificate be presented in relation to this matter, the individuals responsible for producing or facilitating such a document must themselves be investigated and treated as accomplices in the attack against the people of Pwomol.”
Clarifying its claims, the association argued that “It is both illogical and unacceptable that a suspect who allegedly provided clear and detailed information about the attack in a community where he does not reside is suddenly being described as mentally unstable.
“The level of information reportedly supplied by the suspect about the incident raises serious questions about the credibility of any sudden claim of mental incapacity.”
It warned against manipulating the investigation, urging security agencies to ensure that justice is served.
“The Berom Youth Moulders-Association, therefore, categorically rejects any attempt to manipulate the investigation or mislead security agencies and the Nigerian public in order to shield the suspect from facing justice.
“BYM wishes to make it unequivocally clear that the Berom people will not accept any cooked-up report or fabricated narrative intended to derail the course of justice. Any attempt to compromise the investigation will only deepen suspicions that certain interests are determined to frustrate accountability in the ongoing attacks against communities on the Plateau,” the statement noted.
The association pledged vigilance in the proceedings while remaining “committed to the pursuit of justice, accountability, and the protection of our communities from further attacks.”
Members of the group also called on “security agencies and government at all levels to remain vigilant and resist any pressure capable of derailing the investigation,” stressing that “the families of the victims and the entire Berom nation deserve justice, and nothing short of justice will be acceptable.”
Citing the provisions of the law, the youths stated that “In line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, BYM strongly demands that the suspect be immediately handed over to the appropriate security agency responsible for the investigation and prosecution of criminal matters to ensure transparency and accountability.”
They warned against “any interference in the investigation process would send a disturbing signal to the international community that powerful interests may be working to undermine justice and the security of innocent citizens.”
