killings: MACBAN laments over increasing cattle rustling in Benue 

….Says over 1,185 cattle rustled in two LGs in less than two months, demand govt intervention 

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Fulani herdsmen under the umbrella of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN), Benue State chapter, on Sunday cried out over increasing cattle rustling in recent times in the State.

The organisation also lamented that between May and June 2, 2025 one herder was killed, while  a total of 1,185 cattle were stolen by rustlers in some  communities in Agatu and Guma local government areas of the State, calling on the government to urgently intervene. 

This was contained in a statement issued and made available to newsmen in Makurdi by the chairman of the association Ardo Risku  Mohammed and the Secretary, Ibrahim Galma.

They alleged that their members were being attacked in some parts of communities in the state, stressing that already, one of their members, known as Sani Hassan, was killed at North Bank, Makurdi, last Tuesday by suspected Tiv youths on his way to police headquarters in Makurdi to receive some cattle recovered by police from rustlers.

Giving the breakdown of the incident, the two leaders explained that, around middle of 2025, 150 cattle belonging to Umar Rabiu was rustled in Agatu by suspected criminals from Agatu communities and about 130 cattle of another herders were also rustled in some Agatu communities in Agatu Local government area and till date, the said cattle have not be found.

“Recently the total numbers of 905 cattle and 54 sheep belonging to Abubakar Abdullahi, Babangida Hassan, Samaila Baba and Sani Hassan has been rustled on 2nd June, 2025 close to Yogbo communities in Guma Local Government Council, near the border with Nasarawa State. 

“Benue State Police command has intercepted the rustlers and recovered 162 cattle from the rustlers and 33 out of 162 were seriously injured, leaving 743 cattle and 54 sheep unrecovered.

“When the Owners arrived in Makurdi on the 3rd June, 2025 to claim the 162 cattle from the Benue State Police Command, they were attacked along the expressway close to Lafia garage in North Bank Makurdi, as a result, our member identified as Sani Hassan was killed by suspected Tiv youths. 

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“These attacks against the Fulani herdsmen and their livestock are ongoing in some parts of Benue State. In view of the above, the State chapter of MACBAN is calling for the State Government and the Security Agencies to arrest the killers of Sani Hassan in North Bank and the criminals/ cattle rustlers.

“All the security agencies in the State are aware of these cases. At the same time, the association is calling for the State Government to investigate these cases and assist the victims with any kind of support for peace and justice. Our hope is that the State government intervenes in the matter of urgent”. 

When contacted, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, said that he received the report and that security operatives were already investigating the matter and urged the association to be patient until the outcome of the investigation.

“We are aware that 150 cows were rustled in Agatu which the herders complained to us. As at 2nd June, there is no Fulani man in Agatu land following my ultimatum that they should temporarily relocate to Nasarawa State so that our people can go to farms. This happened in May. 

“Agatu youths did not rustle any cattle because they are not criminals. What happen is that criminal elements in that community rustled their cattle and the matter is before the Benue State police command for investigation 

“Agatu are not thieves, we don’t steal cattle. What we have is some criminal elements amongst communities which I believe every community has some criminal elements including the herders who have criminal elements amongst them too.

“We received such reports that the police are investigating the matter, I urge the MACBAN to be patient until the outcome of the police investigation.

“I also urge our Agatu to continue to behave well as they are doing. Iam in firm control of our youths. Our youths are superb, they don’t steal. In fact, stealing is not in our culture. So, MACBAN should be patient with the security agencies while they are trying to recover their cows.

The Benue State Command Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP  Udeme Edet confirmed the  rusting of some cattle but she didn’t disclose the number of cattle that were rustled. 

She also confirmed the killing of a member of the association and rustling and recovery of some cows, but she did not give the total number of rustled recovered.

“It is true, the command has recovered some cows from rustlers and the killing of their members  at North Bank.”

“Criminals  must desist from rustling cows so as not to further heighten tension in the state.  The command would make sure that such people are made to face the wrath of the law”, she said.