The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has raised the alarm over the poisoning of their cows, allegedly carried out by criminal elements in Agatu Local Government Area.

Chairman of MACBAN in the state, Risku Muhammed, accused perpetrators in the area of deliberately targeting their livestock, leading to the recent deaths of 20 cows.

Speaking to our correspondent on Sunday, Muhammed detailed the latest incident, which occurred on Saturday at Ucha village, where a farmer identified as Bawa Oneh allegedly laced rice chaff with poison and invited a herder to graze his cows on it.

?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 are being treated by a veterinary doctor,? Muhammed lamented.

He further accused the criminals of rustling 200 cows just days earlier, adding that security operatives were able to intervene in time, leading to the arrest of one suspect while others escaped.

Tensions Rise

The MACBAN chairman expressed concern over the continued targeting of herders in Agatu, listing several communities?including Olegodege, Utigologwu, Egwuma, Akele, and Okwtanobe?as places where similar incidents have occurred. He, however, commended Agatu LGA Chairman, Melvin James, for his prompt response to the crisis.

?The local government chairman, along with some Non-Governmental Organizations working in the area, has several times paid for cows killed by these criminals,? Muhammed stated.

LG Reacts

Confirming the incident, Agatu LGA Chairman, Melvin James, said that the council had received MACBAN?s complaints and had already begun investigations.

?We have received complaints from Miyetti Allah, and an investigation is ongoing. Agatu has been enjoying peace, and this is due to the peace committee set up.

?On a daily basis, we review the peace process,? James said.

While acknowledging the progress made in maintaining peace, he warned that some criminal elements were still trying to instigate violence.

?It?s unfortunate that some criminal elements are bent on instigating crisis and destroying the peace process, but the government will not fold its arms and allow that to happen,? he added.

James called on the state government to deploy more security operatives to Agatu to further strengthen the existing peace efforts.

Police Confirm Suspect?s Arrest

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command also confirmed the incident, stating that an arrest had been made in connection with the poisoning.

State Police Public Relations Officer, Catherine Anene, a Chief Superintendent of Police, said: ?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.?

She further emphasised that a peace committee was actively working to sustain calm in Agatu, a region previously troubled by frequent clashes between herders and farmers. (The PUNCH)

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