How we lost 340 cattles to rustlers in Benue – MACBAN

The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has raised the alarm over the persistent rustling of about 340 cattle belonging to its members within the month of July.

This was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by the State Secretary of the association, Ibrahim Galma, and made available to newsmen in Makurdi.

According to Galma, the rustling incidents occurred in Agatu and parts of Guma Local Government Areas of the state.

He noted that cattle rustlers, particularly in Agatu LGA in Benue, have extended their criminal activities to parts of neighbouring Kogi State.

The statement read in part: “On 19/07/2025, suspected criminals from Eguma community in Agatu LGA rustled 73 cattle belonging to Sale Abubakar (a Fulani herder), and up till now, the cattle have not been recovered.

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“On 21/07/2025, another criminal gang from Agatu communities rustled 80 cattle belonging to Ardo Sarkin Fulani Bagana.

“These cattle were rustled in Kogi State, near the border with Agatu LGA, Benue State. The criminals moved the cattle into Agatu communities. Later, 30 of the 80 cattle were recovered, leaving 50 still missing.

“On 24/07/2025, another 213 cattle belonging to Garah Mobaba were rustled by criminal youths from Agatu communities. This incident also occurred near the border between Kogi State and Agatu LGA of Benue State.

“This situation is also occurring in parts of Guma LGA, where repeated cases of cattle rustling and attacks on herders have been reported.”

MACBAN, however, appealed to the state government to investigate the incidents, arrest the perpetrators, and compensate the victims.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government, James Melvin, confirmed that the issue had been reported and called on security operatives to carry out a thorough investigation.

He said, “We are calling on security agencies to investigate the matter.”

Also speaking, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, said the incident in Guma was not a case of cattle rustling.

He explained that the cattle had strayed into farmlands and destroyed crops, leading to their confiscation. He added that once the herders paid for the damages, the cattle were released to them.

“What happened was that their cattle entered people’s farms and destroyed their crops. So, we went there and seized the cattle. When the owners paid for the destroyed crops, we released the cattle to them,” he stated.