The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has intensified its outcry over the “sustained economic sabotage” of its members in Plateau State, specifically citing the repeated poisoning of livestock.
As of Friday, April 24, 2026, the association has formally petitioned the Plateau State Government and the Department of State Services (DSS), alleging that the poisoning of cattle has become a calculated tool to provoke herders and destabilize the region.
The Recent Incidents
While the petition addresses a long-standing pattern, it highlights specific recent escalations:
- The “Garden Egg” Poisoning: The association referenced a major incident in the Bassa LGA where dozens of cows died after consuming garden eggs allegedly laced with poisonous substances and scattered across grazing routes.
- Coordinated Attacks: In Riyom and Barkin Ladi LGAs, MACBAN reported fresh incidents involving the shooting and poisoning of cattle belonging to several families. The state chairman, Ibrahim Yusuf Babayo, described these as “coordinated attacks” intended to cripple the economic survival of Fulani families.
- Operation Rainbow Exclusion: A key component of the petition is MACBAN’s grievance over the recruitment of 1,400 operatives into “Operation Rainbow,” the state’s security outfit. The group alleges that Fulani residents were excluded from the recruitment, which they argue undermines trust in local security arrangements.
The “Provocation” Narrative
MACBAN has labeled these incidents as a “deliberate provocation.” Chairman Babayo stated that despite the losses—which the association estimates at over ₦500 million in livestock—they have urged their members to remain calm and allow security agencies to investigate. The group expressed frustration that past petitions to the state government have reportedly gone unacknowledged.
Counter-Claims & State Response
The situation remains a flashpoint for communal tension:
- BYM Rejection: The Berom Youth Moulders-Association (BYM) has strongly rejected MACBAN’s claims, describing them as a “ruse” or a “prelude” to planned attacks on local communities. They have called on security agencies to investigate the veracity of the poisoning claims.
- Government Investigation: The Plateau State Government, through the Commissioner for Information, Joyce Ramnap, has previously stated that the Ministry of Livestock Development is conducting forensic investigations into reported poisonings to determine the actual cause of death and prevent retaliatory violence.
