At least 30 cows were reportedly poisoned near the INEC area office in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, allegedly by unidentified individuals.
Musa Muhammad, Secretary of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Mangu, said the incident occurred around 1:30 p.m. while over 950 cattle were grazing in the vicinity.
Muhammad stated that all relevant security authorities in the area—including the Commander of Sector 3, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO), and the Officer in Charge of the State Security Service (SSS) in Mangu—were promptly notified.
MACBAN pointed fingers at local Muwagvle youths, accusing them of orchestrating the poisoning. However, this claim has been strongly denied by the group.
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According to Muhammad, both Muwagvle and Fulani community leaders were at a meeting with the Local Government Chairman and the new Sector 8 Commander when herders raised the alarm about the poisoned animals.
He recounted that upon visiting the scene with the commander, they discovered 26 dead cattle, with many others appearing distressed or immobile.
He added that poison had been laced on mangoes and spread around the grazing area, as well as added to a water source.
Security officials who visited the site urged the affected community to remain calm, assuring them that an investigation would be launched.
In response, Satmak Bala, spokesperson for the Muwagvle Youth Movement, refuted the accusations.
He confirmed he visited the scene and saw some dead cattle but insisted that the cause of death was unknown and denied any involvement by the youth group.
He labeled the claims as unfounded and urged the public not to believe them.
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