Tension in Benue as Miyetti Allah Alleges Cattle Poisoning and Rustling in Agatu
Benue State is on edge following allegations by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) that criminal elements in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) poisoned and rustled cattle belonging to Fulani herders.
The state chairman of MACBAN, Risku Muhammed, revealed that over 20 cows were allegedly poisoned at Ucha village on Saturday, while more than 200 were rustled last Thursday. He noted that security operatives managed to arrest one suspect linked to the rustling, while others escaped.
According to Muhammed, a local farmer reportedly laced rice chaff with poison and invited a herder to feed his cattle, leading to the death of 13 cows, with seven others currently receiving veterinary care.
“I received reports from my members that a farmer deliberately poisoned the cows. Fortunately, security operatives intervened and apprehended one suspect while the rest fled,” Muhammed stated.
Despite repeated incidents of cattle rustling and killings in Agatu communities—including Olegodege, Utigologwu, Egwuma, Akele, Okwtanobe, and now Ucha—Muhammed commended the local government chairman, Melvin Ejeh, for his proactive approach. He acknowledged that the council, alongside some non-governmental organizations, had previously compensated herders for lost cattle.
Confirming the incident, Ejeh assured that investigations were ongoing. He emphasized that Agatu had experienced relative peace due to the efforts of a Peace Committee set up to manage conflicts between farmers and herders.
“It is unfortunate that some criminal elements are trying to instigate violence and disrupt the peace process, but the government will not allow that to happen,” Ejeh stated, calling for the deployment of more security personnel to the LGA.
The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Catherine Anene, also confirmed the incident, adding that a suspect had been arrested, and investigations were underway.
Despite ongoing efforts to sustain peace, this latest development raises concerns about renewed hostilities in the region.
