By Deborah Nnamdi
Over 100 cattle, reportedly belonging to suspected armed Fulani herdsmen accused of attacking communities in Benue State, died while attempting to cross the River Benue.
The incident happened on Saturday. According to reports, many of the animals died under mysterious circumstances—some were said to have been buried when sand collapsed on them due to erosion, while others reportedly drowned while swimming across the river toward Nasarawa State.
A witness, Mr. Olikita Ekani, claimed he saw the incident while returning from his farm on Saturday.
“I was coming from my farm on Saturday, June 14, 2025, and I saw several dead cows floating on the River Benue opposite Achepe village in Nasarawa State.
“I also saw hundreds of Fulani herdsmen rushing and crossing from Benue to Nasarawa side.
“When I contacted the fishermen who were assisting in crossing the herdsmen from the Benue side of the river to the Nasarawa side, they told me the herdsmen have been rushing and crossing back to Nasarawa State the past week, which is an indication of impending attacks ahead.
“Anytime they are rushing and crossing like this, just know that attacks are imminent. This is what has been happening here for the past week.”
He said they had lost more than 100 cows as they attempted to cross from the Benue side to Nasarawa.
A fisherman who spoke on condition of anonymity said 64 cattle died Saturday alone.
“Most of the dead cattle were killed by heavy soil falling on them when they came close to the land, while some drowned while swimming.
“We have never witnessed this kind of mysterious death of cattle before.
“Their entry and crossing points are at: Abugbe to Odenyi in Nasarawa State, Ocholonya to Akpekpo, Achukpa to Ijiwo, Oleg’Ada’Gomowe to Achepe.”
The spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, could not be reached to confirm the incident at the time of this report.
