At least 36 cows have been confirmed dead and 42 others poisoned in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, following a suspected deliberate attack on herders’ livestock. The incident occurred on Wednesday around the Tafi Gana junction area, deepening tensions in a region already reeling from recent violence.
Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Bassa, Ya’u Idris, confirmed the attack, stating that poisoned garden eggs were scattered across the grazing area and consumed by the cattle.
“We had about 78 cattle in the field. Thirty-six are dead, and the rest are in critical condition after eating the poisoned food,” he told Daily Trust. “We’ve reported the incident to all security agencies, including the GOC of 3 Division. He visited the site and assured us of a thorough investigation.”
Idris appealed to Fulani community members to remain calm and allow security operatives to handle the situation.
The poisoning came just two days after a deadly assault in Zikke village, also in Bassa LGA, where 52 residents were killed and dozens injured. The attackers razed several homes. Locals blamed the herding community for the violence, an accusation MACBAN has denied.
Efforts to reach Operation Safe Haven’s spokesperson, Major Samson Zhakom, for comments were unsuccessful at the time of reporting.
Government Imposes New Restrictions
In response to the escalating violence, Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has announced a ban on night grazing and movement of cattle and motorcycles after 7 p.m. statewide.
Addressing residents in a statewide broadcast on Wednesday, Mutfwang said:
“In the late hours of Sunday, April 13, Zikke village in Bassa LGA came under brutal attack. This occurred while we still mourn the killing of over 50 residents in Bokkos. These attacks are calculated and persistent.
“As a result, from Wednesday, April 16, night grazing is banned. The transportation of cattle and movement of motorcycles is restricted between 7 p.m. and 6 a.m. daily across the state.”
The governor urged traditional rulers and youth leaders to revive local vigilante patrols in collaboration with security agencies, calling for calm and collective vigilance.
Backlash from Cattle Transporters and MACBAN
Truck drivers and cattle herders have criticized the new restrictions, describing them as impractical.
Mahmud Jafar, a truck driver in Jos, said the directive contradicts existing laws:
“We are already restricted from moving between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Now we can’t move cattle after 7 p.m. either. When are we expected to operate?”
Another driver, Gambo Hamza, added: “This policy is confusing and unworkable. We urge the government to review the timeline.”
MACBAN also voiced concerns over the economic impact of the policy. The Plateau State Chairman, Yusuf Ibrahim Babayo, said while the association supports measures aimed at peace, the 7 p.m. cutoff is too early.
“Some of our members return from markets after 7 p.m. We appeal for the time to be extended to 8 p.m. to allow them to get home safely,” Babayo said.
Lawmakers, Security Agencies, and Groups React
Speaking on the renewed violence, Hon. Yusuf Adamu Gagdi, who represents Pankshin/Kanke/Kanam Federal Constituency, said the fertile areas of Bokkos, Bassa, Wase, and Mangu have become battlefields due to security failures.
During an interview on Channels Television’s Politics Today, Gagdi criticized the lack of accountability among security agencies, blaming the crisis largely on bandits displaced from the North-West who have relocated to forests near the Taraba-Plateau border.
He called for the establishment of a joint local security outfit that includes all ethnic groups in the affected areas to restore trust and stability. Gagdi also stressed the need to dismantle cattle rustling syndicates, which often trigger reprisal attacks.
In the aftermath of the Bassa and Bokkos attacks, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Kwazhi Bzigu Dali, visited Bassa LGA for on-ground and aerial surveillance. He met with local leaders and assured them of renewed efforts, including the deployment of Police Mobile Force units, Special Intervention Squads, armoured carriers, and surveillance helicopters.
National Outrage and Condemnation
The Northern Elders Forum (NEF) condemned the killings, describing them as barbaric and a disgrace to the nation. NEF spokesperson, Prof. Abubakar Jiddere, criticized the federal government’s perceived inaction.
“Plateau, once a symbol of unity, is now a theatre of bloodshed. The government must deploy properly equipped forces and ensure justice,” he said, demanding compensation for victims and the creation of an independent investigative panel.
The Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) also decried the violence. In a statement signed by Chairman Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, the forum expressed condolences and emphasized the need for unity and support for Governor Mutfwang’s peace efforts.
“These aren’t just numbers—each life lost represents a family and a future. The violence must stop,” the NGF said.
Federal Government Reaffirms Security Commitment
Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, reiterated the government’s resolve to end insecurity. Represented by the DG of Voice of Nigeria, Jibrin Ndace, at a media stakeholders’ seminar in Abuja, the minister outlined steps being taken under President Bola Tinubu’s Renewed Hope Agenda.
He highlighted recent investments in military hardware, intelligence, and personnel training. He also urged journalists to avoid amplifying terrorist narratives and instead showcase the courage of security forces and the resilience of affected communities.
Peter Obi Urges Immediate Action
Former Labour Party presidential candidate, Peter Obi, joined the calls for action, urging the federal government to move beyond rhetoric.
“No nation can thrive when its citizens are slaughtered in their homes without consequences. These attacks are coordinated and systematic,” Obi said in a post on X (formerly Twitter). He demanded swift justice and dismantling of the criminal networks behind the violence.
