Fulani Herdsman Jumps Into River Benue After Losing 200 Cows

Mohammed Abdulkadire, a Fulani herdsman has killed himself after losing over 200 of his cows to hunger and lack of water.

The 56-year-old was said to have jumped into River Benue in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, on Saturday.

Garus Gololo, National Coordinator of Miyietti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter, who spoke to the Punch, confirmed the ugly incident.

The Benue State Government recently announced the implementation of its anti-open grazing law, leading to some herdsmen relocating to other states.

Gololo said since the commencement of the anti-open grazing law in the state, Fulani herdsmen had lost about 600 cows to inaccessibility to food and water.

He lamented that Abdulkadire, who had 22 children, cried and jumped into the river out of frustration when he discovered that 200 out of his 500 cows had died where they were camped.

“The man killed himself simply because there is no place for his cows to graze. He was to relocate to the Awe LGA of Nasarawa State but information got to us that the area was occupied and no herdsman or herdsmen should cross over to the area again,” Gololo said.

“We are calling on the Federal Government to intervene to quickly make provision for herdsmen in Benue State before they lose everything they have.”