The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State on Sunday raised alarm over the alleged poisoning of their cattle by criminal elements in Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
The Chairman of MACBAN in the state, Risku Muhammed, told journalists that at least 20 cows have been killed in the incident.
He accused perpetrators in the area of deliberately targeting their livestock with the latest incident occurring on Saturday in Ucha village.
According to Muhammed, a local farmer identified as Bawa Oneh allegedly laced rice chaff with poison and invited a herder to graze his cows on it.
He said: “I got a report from my members in Agatu LGA that a criminal who had laced rice chaff with poison invited one of our members to come and graze his cows.
“Unfortunately, 13 cows died instantly, while seven others are currently receiving treatment from a veterinary doctor.”
Muhammed also alleged that just days before the poisoning, criminals had rustled 200 cows, though security operatives managed to intervene and arrested one suspect while others fled.
He expressed concerns over repeated attacks on herders in Agatu with Olegodege, Utigologwu, Egwuma, Akele, and Okwtanobe communities as hotspots.
He, however, commended the chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, for his prompt response to the crisis.
He noted that the council and some Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) had previously compensated herders for lost cattle.
In response, James confirmed that the council had received MACBAN’s complaints and had launched an investigation.
He said: “Agatu has been enjoying peace due to the efforts of the peace committee we set up.
“But it’s unfortunate that some criminal elements are bent on instigating a crisis and destroying the peace process. The government will not fold its arms and allow that to happen.”
James urged the state government to deploy more security operatives to Agatu to sustain the fragile peace in the region, which has long been a flashpoint for herder-farmer conflicts.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command also confirmed the incident with its spokesperson, Catherine Anene, stating that an investigation was ongoing and that a suspect had been arrested.
“I have a briefing this morning (Sunday) about dead cows said to have been poisoned. Investigation is going on, and a suspect has been arrested,” Anene said.
She assured residents that law enforcement agencies and the peace committee were working to maintain stability in Agatu.
© Ripples Nigeria