Poisoned Garden Eggs Kill 36 Cows In Plateau State

In a tragic incident on Wednesday, thirty-six cows were killed, and forty-two others were left critically ill in Plateau State due to suspected poisoning. The event occurred in the Tafi Gana junction area, located in the Bassa Local Government Area (LGA), around 4:30 p.m., as the cattle were grazing.

Ya’u Idris, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Bassa LGA, confirmed the occurrence. He explained that the cattle had ingested garden eggs laced with poison that had been intentionally scattered across the grazing area.

“We had 78 cattle grazing in the vicinity. As of now, 36 have died, and 42 others are critically ill. The outcome remains uncertain for them due to the poisoning,” Idris shared with the press.

The poisoning incident was swiftly reported to various security bodies, including the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 3 Division of the Nigerian Army, the Department of State Services (DSS), and the police. Idris confirmed that the GOC had visited the site and reassured the community that an investigation was underway.

“The GOC has advised us to refrain from taking matters into our own hands, assuring us that the perpetrators will face justice,” Idris stated. He further called for calm among Fulani residents in the area, especially as tensions rise in light of previous violent events.

This cattle poisoning came just two days after a deadly attack in Zikke village, also in Bassa LGA, which resulted in the deaths of 52 people and left many others injured. Several houses were set ablaze during the violence, which some residents attributed to members of the herding community—a claim the herders have strongly denied.

These recent events have sparked fears of possible retaliatory violence in the region, which has historically seen conflicts between farming and herding communities. In light of the growing insecurity, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang announced new restrictions on Wednesday. These include a ban on night grazing, cattle transportation, and motorcycle movements beyond 7 p.m. The measures aim to reduce the risk of further violence and restore order to the affected areas.

For more information on the ongoing security situation in Plateau State, visit this article.

: For more on security measures in Nigeria, check out this related post on government responses to insecurity.