Suspected Tiv youths killed our member, stole hundreds of cows – Miyetti Allah

The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has raised alarm over what it describes as increasing intimidation, cattle rustling, and threats to the lives of its members in some communities across the state.

In a statement issued in Makurdi on Sunday, the state chairman and secretary of the association, Ardo Risku and Ibrahim Galma, alleged that a member, Sanni Hassan, was killed last Tuesday at North Bank, Makurdi, by suspected Tiv youths.

They also claimed that a total of 1,185 cows were rustled between mid-May and June 2, 2025, in Agatu and Guma Local Government Areas, with only 162 cows recovered by the police so far.

The statement read in part:“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.

“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.”

The group expressed deep concern that while herders went to reclaim the recovered cows from police custody in Makurdi, they were attacked along the expressway near Lafia garage in North Bank.

“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 urged the Benue State Government, the Police Command, and relevant security agencies to investigate the killing and arrest those responsible. They also called for support for affected herders and the family of the deceased.

When contacted, Chairman of Agatu LGA, Melvin James, confirmed receipt of the report and assured that investigations were ongoing.
“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.”

Also speaking, Benue State Police Command spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed both the rustling and the killing.
“It is true, the command has recovered some cows from rustlers and the killing of their member at North Bank.”

She appealed to criminal elements to desist from further cattle rustling and warned that the command would not hesitate to prosecute anyone found culpable.