The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has raised the alarm over rising incidents of intimidation, cattle rustling, and threats to the lives of its members in several communities across the state.
The association alleged that between mid-May and June 2, 2025, a total of 1,185 cows were rustled in Agatu and Guma Local Government Areas, out of which 162 cows have so far been recovered by the police.
In a statement made available to journalists in Makurdi on Sunday, the chairman and secretary of the association, Ardo Risku and Ibrahim Galma respectively, decried the killing of one of their members, massive livestock theft, and a lack of adequate protection.
According to the statement, “In the middle of May, 2025, 150 cows belonging to Umar Rabiu and another 130 cows of another herder were rustled in Agatu LGA of Benue State.”
The statement further revealed: “Recently, a total number of 905 cows and 54 sheep belonging to Abubakar Abdullahi, Babangida Hassan, Samaila Baba and Sanni Hassan were rustled on June 2, 2025, close to Yogbo community in Guma LGA of Benue State.
“Benue State Police Command intercepted the rustlers and recovered 162 cows, of which 33 were injured, leaving 743 cows and 54 sheep unrecovered.”
MACBAN also alleged that one of its members, identified as Sanni Hassan, was killed last Tuesday at North Bank, Makurdi, by suspected Tiv youths.
They stated: “While the owners of the cows came to Makurdi to claim the recovered ones by the police last Tuesday, they were attacked along the expressway close to Laafia garage in North Bank by suspected Tiv youths, leading to the death of Sanni Hassan.”
The association called on the state government, the Benue State Police Command, and other security agencies to investigate the killing and ensure that those responsible for both the murder and cattle rustling are brought to justice. They also appealed for assistance.
They stated: “We call on the state government, Benue State Police Command, and other security agencies in the state to investigate and arrest the killers of our member and the rustlers,” and also “solicited support from the state government for their members whose cattle were rustled and the family of the deceased.”
Responding to the allegations, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin James, confirmed receiving reports of the rustling and acknowledged that security operatives had begun investigations. He said: “We received such reports that the police is investigating the matter, I urge the MACBAN to be patient until the outcome of the police investigation.”
When contacted, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the killing of a MACBAN member and the recovery of some rustled cows, though she did not provide exact figures.
She said: “It is true, the command has recovered some cows from rustlers and the killing of their member at North Bank.”
