A 41-year-old herder, Musa Lawal, reportedly collapsed after 42 of his cows died under mysterious circumstances in Koroko community, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The incident, which occurred on Tuesday at about 6:12 p.m., has sparked an investigation by security agencies amid suspicions that the cattle may have grazed on chemically contaminated grass.
The FCT Treasurer of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Yahuza Ibrahim, confirmed the incident on Thursday, explaining that two of the herder’s sons had taken the cattle out to graze before the tragedy unfolded.
According to him, the animals were later discovered dead at different locations in the bush after grazing.
“Immediately we received the report, I alerted the MACBAN chairman, who directed me to proceed to the scene. We discovered that 42 cows had died. We suspect they may have eaten grass that had been sprayed with chemicals,” he said.
Ibrahim said Lawal rushed to the scene after being informed of the incident but collapsed after seeing the scale of the loss.
The herder was immediately taken to the General Hospital in Kwali, where he was admitted and later discharged on Wednesday after recovering from the shock.
He added that the Chairman of Kwali Area Council, Hon. Nuhu Daniel Kwali, alongside Fulani community leaders, visited the family to sympathise with them over the devastating loss.
Confirming the incident, Kwali described the development as shocking and saddening.
He said the council had directed relevant security agencies, including the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security operatives, to conduct a thorough investigation to determine the cause of the mass death of the cattle.
The council chairman also disclosed that measures were being considered to support the affected herder, ease the impact of the loss, and prevent any possible breakdown of peace between farmers and herders in the area.
