The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has raised alarm over the theft of over 340 cattle in the state during the month of July, calling on the government to take urgent action.
In a statement released on Thursday in Makurdi by the association’s state secretary, Ibrahim Galma, MACBAN detailed a series of cattle rustling incidents across Agatu and Guma local government areas, with some attacks allegedly extending to border communities in Kogi State.
According to Galma, the criminal activities have become a growing concern for herders, especially along the Benue-Kogi border.
“On July 19, 2025, suspected rustlers from the Eguma community in Agatu Local Government Area stole 73 cattle belonging to one of our members, Sale Abubakar. These animals are yet to be recovered,” Galma said.
He continued, “Two days later, another gang rustled 80 cattle owned by Ardo Sarkin Fulani Bagana. Although 30 were recovered within Agatu, 50 are still missing.”
Galma also reported that on July 24, a total of 213 cattle belonging to Garah Mobaba were rustled in a similar fashion. “These incidents happened at the border between Agatu and parts of Kogi State. The security threat is escalating and herders are living in fear,” he added.
The association claimed the problem isn’t limited to Agatu alone, as parts of Guma LGA have also witnessed repeated cases of cattle rustling and attacks on herders.
MACBAN has appealed to the Benue State Government to take immediate action. “We urge the government to investigate these attacks, bring the culprits to justice, and compensate the affected victims to promote peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders,” the statement read.
Responding to the allegations, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government, James Melvin, acknowledged receiving reports of rustling and called on security agencies to launch a thorough investigation. “We are calling on security to investigate the matter promptly,” he said.
However, the Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, disputed the rustling claims in Agatu. He clarified that in one of the incidents, herders’ cattle had strayed into farmlands, damaging crops, which led to a temporary seizure of the animals.
“When the cattle destroyed farms in Guma, we intervened and took the animals. But once the herders paid compensation for the crops damaged, the cattle were returned,” Har explained.