The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State has raised serious concerns over the increasing cases of cattle poisoning and theft affecting its members in Agatu Local Government Area.
Speaking over the weekend, the Chairman of MACBAN in Benue, Risku Muhammed, disclosed that more than 20 cows belonging to Fulani herders were allegedly poisoned on Saturday in Ucha village, Agatu. He further claimed that, in addition to the poisoned cattle, over 200 cows were stolen last Thursday by suspected criminal elements operating in the area.
According to Muhammed, security operatives acted swiftly in response to the theft, managing to apprehend one of the suspects while others escaped. However, he emphasized that such incidents pose a significant threat to the livelihoods of herders and could escalate tensions between herders and farmers if not properly addressed.
Muhammed alleged that a farmer from Ucha community, whose identity remains undisclosed, was responsible for poisoning the cows. He stated that the farmer invited a herder to graze his cattle on rice chaff, which had been deliberately laced with poison. As a result, 13 cows died immediately, while seven others are currently under veterinary care.
“I received reports from our members in Agatu that a farmer had mixed poison with rice chaff and invited a herder to graze on it. Unfortunately, 13 cows died on the spot, while seven are being treated by a veterinary doctor,” Muhammed lamented.
He commended the Local Government Council Chairman, Melvin Ejeh, for his proactive approach in addressing tensions between herders and farmers. Muhammed acknowledged that the local government, in collaboration with some Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs), had previously compensated herders for cows lost to criminal attacks.
The MACBAN Chairman further revealed that incidents of cattle rustling and targeted killings of livestock have occurred in several communities, including Olegodege, Utigologwu, Egwuma, Akele, Okwtanobe, and now Ucha. He urged authorities to step up security measures to curb the rising threats.
In response to the allegations, Agatu LGA Chairman, Melvin Ejeh, confirmed that his office had received a formal complaint from MACBAN. He assured that investigations were ongoing and that a suspect had been arrested in connection with the poisoned cattle. Ejeh emphasized that Agatu had been enjoying a period of relative peace due to concerted efforts by the state government and security agencies, but warned against any attempts to disrupt the fragile harmony.
“We have received complaints from Miyetti Allah, and an investigation is currently underway. Agatu has been relatively peaceful, thanks to the efforts of the Peace Committee that was established to address communal issues. We monitor the peace process daily to ensure stability,” Ejeh stated.
He further appealed to the state government for the deployment of additional security personnel to Agatu LGA to prevent further incidents and ensure the safety of both herders and farmers.
Confirming the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Catherine Anene, stated that the authorities were aware of the case and had commenced an investigation. She confirmed that a suspect had been arrested and that efforts were ongoing to determine the full circumstances surrounding the poisoning of the cattle.
“We received a briefing regarding reports of dead cows that were allegedly poisoned. A suspect has been taken into custody, and investigations are in progress,” Anene stated.
She also reiterated that the Peace Committee remains actively engaged in fostering sustainable harmony between the various communities in Agatu LGA, emphasizing the need for continuous dialogue to prevent conflicts.
As tensions continue to simmer over the incident, stakeholders are calling for collaborative efforts to address the root causes of these conflicts, ensure justice for affected parties, and prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future.
