One herder missing, 20 cows poisoned, 200 others allegedly rustled in Benue

…..We have arrested farm owner, cattle rustlers- council boss

From, Attah Ede, Makurdi 

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), on Sunday, raised alarm over the disappearance of one of its members in Apa local government area, the poison to death of 20 cows and rustled of over 200 others  in Agatu local government area of Benue State.

The  chairman of the organization in the State Alhaji Risku Muhammed called on the state governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia and other  security agencies to immediately launch a comprehensive investigation into the alleged killing and rustling of the cows. 

Muhammed who raised  the alarm when he spoke with our correspondent on phone in Makurdi on Sunday, said  some criminal elements in Usha community in Agatu  local government went and poisoned  their cattle and also rustled over 200 others.

According to him, a farmer identified as Bawa Oneh  had on Saturday poisoned  the chaff of rice and later invited a herder to feed his cows resulting into death of 13 cows and seven others been treated by veterinary doctor.

He said before then, they have  rustled over 200 cows last Thursday but added that with the prompt intervention of operation whirl stroke, one rustler was arrested while others escaped.

Muhammed said, “I got 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 on the rice chaff, unfortunately, 13 cows died instantly while seven are being treated by veterinary doctor.

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“I  want to commend the chairman of Agatu local government council, Melvin James for promptly responding to issues concerning the herders and communities in the area.

“The local government chairman with some Non Governmental Organizations working in the LG have several times paid for cows killed by these criminals while we the herders also paid for crops destroyed by cows”, Muhammed said.

He explained that the criminals had at one time or other lost several cows to criminals in Olegodege, Utigologwu, Egwuma, Akele, Okwtanobe and now Ucha through rustling and killing.

The Executive Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James Ejeh confirmed the development, saying that he received  complaints from  the Fulani leader, adding that  investigation is on going. 

He said  the farm owner Baba Uneh had been arrested in connection with the poisoning of cows on Saturday.

James-Ejeh stated that with the help of the state government and security operatives deployed to the area, Agatu has enjoyed relative peace.

He Commended the executive governor of Benue State through his special adviser on bureau for local government and chieftaincy affairs for all the tremendous supports, saying that the  governor unalloyed support to the government was the reason why Agatu area has not gone on flame till day.

He said massive strength and support by the governor and operation whirl stroke has make Agatu people to enjoy relative peace.

“We have received complaints from Miyeitti Allah  and investigation is going on about the incident. Agatu has been enjoying peace and this is as a result of peace committee set up and on daily basis we review the peace process.

“It’s unfortunate that some criminal elements are bent on instigating crisis and destroy the peace process but government will not fold its arms and allow that to happen.

The chairman insisted that those who carried the dastardly act may not have come from Agatu hence the herders usually paid for compensation for crops eaten up by their cattle.

“The herders have been consistent in paying compensation for destroying crops. So, if they are doing that, it means is not the farmers who are killing those cows but criminals who are doing this for political reason or personal gain.

“So, I am urging all Agatu stakeholders to come together and fish out these criminals from our society.

“There is no Fulani herder that is missing as at today. We only have a case of a Fulani boy who was killed by some criminals in Agatu local government area on the 17th February 2025, leading to the arrest of two people including the chief of the community who are currently in police custody undergoing interrogation.

“We visited the family of the deceased herder in Loko in Nasarawa State where we appeal for forgiveness and they gladly agreed to forgive our people.

“We have cases of cattle rustling and we arrested one boy called  Gideon Otene last week. Him and his seven gang members are currently with the police in Obagaji for rustling 200 cows. This is six months that we have no crisis in Agatu. This happening 

The chairman who commended the state government and operation whirl stroke as well DSS for restoring peace in Agatu, appealed to government to deploy more security operatives to the council.

When contacted the Benue State Command police public relations officer CSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident, saying  that one suspect had been arrested.

“I have received 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.

The PPRO said that there is a peace committee working tirelessly in Agatu LG to ensure that peace continue to reign in one time troubled council.