The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), has raised concerns over alleged intimidation, cattle rustling and threats to life in several communities across the state.

In a joint statement issued yesterday in Makurdi, the association’s Chairman and Secretary, Ardo Risku and Ibrahim Galma, respectively, disclosed that one of their members, Sanni Hassan, was killed last Tuesday at North Bank, Makurdi, by suspected Tiv youths.

They further claimed that a total of 1,185 cows and 54 sheep were rustled between mid-May and June 2 in Agatu and Guma LGAs. Of that number, the police were said to have recovered 162 cows.

Parts of the statement read: “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 Baenue State.

“Benue State Police Command intercepted the rustlers and recovered 162 cows, of which 33 were injured, leaving 743 cows and 54 sheep unrecovered.”

Miyetti Allah added that when the owners of the recovered cows went to Makurdi last Tuesday to retrieve them, “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 called on the Benue State govern – ment, the Police Command, and other security agencies to investigate and apprehend the killers of their member and those responsible for the rustling. They also urged the government to assist affected members and the family of the deceased.