The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of one suspect in connection with the alleged poisoning of cows in Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
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The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Risku Muhammed, had accused criminal elements in Agatu LGA of poisoning 20 cows.
He told newsmen on the phone yesterday that the criminals in the local government were rustling and poisoning cows.
He stated that the latest incident occurred on Saturday, March 29, 2025, at Ucha village, where a farmer identified as Bawa Oneh was alleged to have poisoned the chaff of rice and later invited a herder to feed his cows, resulting in the death of 13 cows and seven others being treated by a veterinary doctor.
He also accused the criminals of rustling 200 cows last Thursday but said that with the prompt intervention of security operatives, one rustler was arrested while others escaped.
Muhammed said, “I received reports from my members in Agatu LGA that a criminal who had laced rice chaff with poison invited one of our members to graze on the rice chaff. Unfortunately, 13 cows died instantly, while seven are being treated by a veterinary doctor.”
The MACBAN state chairman commended the council boss, Melvin James, for promptly responding to issues concerning herders and communities in the local government.
“The local government chairman, along with some non-governmental organizations working in the LGA, have several times paid for cows killed by these criminals,” the MACBAN boss said.
He explained that the criminals had, at one time or another, lost several cows to rustlers in Olegodege, Utigologwu, Egwuma, Akele, Okwtanobe, and now Ucha through rustling and killings.
When contacted, the Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, said that the council had received complaints from MACBAN and is currently investigating the matter.
He also disclosed that a farmer had been arrested in connection with the poisoning of cows on Saturday.
James stated that with the help of the state government and security operatives deployed to the area, Agatu has enjoyed relative peace.
He said, “We have received complaints from Miyetti Allah, and investigations are ongoing about the incident. Agatu has been enjoying peace, thanks to the peace committee set up, and we review the peace process daily.
“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.”
The chairman, who praised the state government for restoring peace in Agatu, appealed to the government to deploy more security operatives to the council.
Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), CSP Catherine Anene, said one suspect has been arrested.
“I received a briefing this morning (Sunday) about dead cows said to have been poisoned. Investigation is ongoing, and a suspect has been arrested,” Anene said.
The PPRO confirmed that a peace committee is working tirelessly in Agatu LGA to ensure that peace continues to reign in the once-troubled Benue council.
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