The Police in Benue state has confirmed the arrest of one suspect in connection with the alleged poisoning of cows in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Chairman of Miyeiti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Risku Muhammed had accused criminal elements in Agatu Local Government Area of the State of poisoning 20 cows.
He told newsmen on the phone on Sunday – earlier today, March – that the criminals in the local government were rustling and poisoning their cows.
He stated that the latest incident happened on Saturday, March 29, 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 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 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 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 the herders and communities in the local government.
“The local government chairman with some Non Governmental Organizations working in the LG have several times paid for cows killed by these criminals,” the MACBAN boss said.
He explained that the criminals had at one time or other lost several cows to criminals in Olegodege, Utigologwu, Egwuma, Akele, Okwtanobe and now Ucha through rustling and killing.
When contacted, Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James said that the council had received complaints from MACBAN and is currently investigating it.
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 Miyeitti Ala and investigation is going on about the incident. Agatu has been enjoying peace and this is as a result of peace committee set up and on a daily basis we review the peace process.
“It’s unfortunate that some criminal elements are bent on instigating a 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.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, CSP Catherine Anene, confirmed the incident saying one suspect has been arrested.
“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,” Anene said.
The PPRO said that there is a peace committee working tirelessly in Agatu LG to ensure that peace continues to reign in the one time troubled Benue council.
