Plateau Violence Escalates: 36 Cows Killed, 42 Poisoned as Governor Mutfwang Bans Night Grazing

At least 36 cows were confirmed dead and 42 others poisoned on Wednesday near the Tafi Gana junction in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State. According to the chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Bassa, Ya’u Idris, the incident occurred around 4:30 p.m. while the animals were grazing. He alleged that poison had been placed on garden eggs scattered in the area, which were then eaten by the cattle.

Idris said the matter was immediately reported to security agencies, including the GOC 3 Division, who visited the site and appealed for calm. “We had 78 cattle grazing there. Now, 36 are dead, and 42 are in critical condition. The GOC urged us not to retaliate and promised to investigate,” he said. He called on members of the Fulani community to remain peaceful and trust that security forces will handle the matter.

The cattle poisoning comes on the heels of a deadly attack on Zikke village in Bassa, just two days earlier, where 52 people were killed and homes destroyed. Locals have accused herders of the massacre, but MACBAN has denied any involvement.

In response to the escalating violence, Governor Caleb Mutfwang announced new security measures during a state broadcast on Wednesday. These include a ban on night grazing, restriction of cattle transportation after 7 p.m., and a statewide curfew on motorcycle movement from 7 p.m. to 6 a.m. He urged traditional rulers and youth leaders to reactivate local vigilante groups in cooperation with security agencies.

Truck drivers in Jos have voiced concern over the cattle movement ban, citing contradictions with existing laws. “We’re already barred from moving between 6 a.m. and 9 p.m. Now we’re told not to move after 7 p.m. So when are we supposed to operate?” questioned Mahmud Jafar, a local driver. Another driver, Gambo Hamza, called for a revision of the timing.

MACBAN has also appealed to the governor to adjust the restriction to 8 p.m., saying some herders may still be en route from markets by 7 p.m. State chairman Yusuf Ibrahim Babayo stated, “We support government policies done in good faith but urge a review of the time.”

In a related development, Federal lawmaker Yusuf Adamu Gagdi blamed the violence on criminal elements displaced from states like Zamfara and Sokoto, now hiding in Plateau’s forests. He stressed the need for a joint security outfit comprising all ethnic groups in the region to build trust and improve collaboration.

Following the attacks, Deputy Inspector General of Police Kwazhi Bzigu Dali visited affected communities for aerial and ground surveillance. He met with Bassa LGA leadership and assured residents of reinforced security deployments, including Police Mobile Force units and surveillance aircraft.

The Northern Elders Forum described the Plateau killings as a national disgrace, urging the federal government to deploy better-equipped forces and create an independent investigative panel. “Plateau was once a beacon of unity; it is now a theatre of bloodshed,” said NEF spokesman, Professor Abubakar Jiddere.

The Nigeria Governors’ Forum also condemned the killings, calling them a setback to peace efforts. “These lives lost are not just numbers—they represent dreams and families. The violence must end,” said forum chairman, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq.

Reaffirming its commitment to tackling insecurity, the federal government highlighted new investments in military hardware, intelligence gathering, and training. Minister of Information Mohammed Idris, represented by Voice of Nigeria DG Jibrin Ndace, urged the media to play a constructive role in reporting.

Former presidential candidate Peter Obi also weighed in, calling for action rather than words. “No nation can thrive when its citizens are slaughtered in their homes without consequence,” he said on X (formerly Twitter), demanding strategic security operations and swift justice.