From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) Benue State Chapter, had cried out over the rustling of over 1,185 cattle belonging to their members by criminals elements in the state.
MACBAN Chairman and Secretary, Ardo Risku Moh’d and Ibrahim Galma raised the alarm in a statement they both signed and made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Sunday.
They also lamented the killing of one herder in Makurdi calling on the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia to investigate the issues and bring perpetrators to book
The association executives said from the middle of May 2025, 280 cattle belonging to two members were rustled by criminals elements in Agatu Local Government Area (LGA) of the state.
They also disclosed that another 905 cattle and 54 sheep owned by four members were also rustled.
The statement read “We released this statement with deep sorrow and pain that our members are facing in some parts of Benue state.
“Currently in the middle of May 2025, 150 cattle belonging to Umar Rabiu was rustled in Agatu by suspect criminals from Agatu community. and about 130 cattle of another herders were also rustled in some Agatu communities in Agatu LGC and till date the said cattle have not been found.
“Recently a total numbers of 905 cattle and 54 sheep belonging to Abubakar Abdullahi, Babangida Hassan, Samaila baba and Sani Hassan has been rustled on 02/06/2025 close to Yogbo Community in Guma LGC near the border with Nasarawa state.
“Benue state police command has intercepted the rustlers and recovered 162 cattle from the rustlers, 33 out of 162 were seriously injured, leaving 743 cattle and 54 sheep unrecovered.”
He narrated that “When owners arrived Makurdi on the June, 2025 to claim the 162 cattle from the Benue state police command, they were attacked along the express way close to Lafia Garage in North Bank Makurdi, and as a result Sani Hassan was killed by the youths.”
Risky said the 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.”
The association is also calling for the state Government to investigate the cases and assists the victims with any kind of support for peace and justice. “Our hope is that, the State Government intervention will come in the matter of urgent,” the statement said.
The Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James said “We received such report and alerted police and Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and they are investigating the matter.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed rustling and rescuing of some cows but didn’t give the figures. She also confirmed killing of their member at North Bank.
Edet, therefore, appealed to criminals to desist from such act so as not to further heighten tension in the state.
She further warned that the command would not spare anyone found indulging in any criminal act such as rustling saying such people would be made to face the wrath of the law.