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Silent Triggers of Conflict: The Poisoning of 28 Cattle and Another Unfolding Crisis in Plateau
Silent Triggers of Conflict: The Poisoning of 28 Cattle and Another Unfolding Crisis in Plateau
By Zagazola Makama
In the quiet, hilly expanse of Zamura community in Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau State, a tragic scene unfolded on April 16. 28 cows, while grazing under the afternoon sun, dropped dead allegedly poisoned by unknown individuals. What may appear to be an isolated incident is which doesn’t appear in news or make headlines, in fact, a window into the deeper and more enduring fault lines that continue to plague Plateau State.
This was just few days after cattle were rustled in Murish village, Mangu Local Government Area, by a group of about 30 youths. One of the herders, 21-year-old Abdullahi Suleiman, remains missing. Of the rustled livestock, only 11 have been recovered. No trace of the perpetrators or arrest were made. At the time, this incidences were taken place, the people of Kimakpa Village in Miango District have not overcome the aftermath of the brutal massacre of innocent men, women and children who were attacked in their sleep by what the government agencies said were unknown gunmen. But are the perpetrators really not known,”? NO.
The recurring cycle of these violence and reprisal in parts of Plateau is often viewed through the lens of religious, land occupation and ethnic tensions. But it is not about land. It is no longer credible to suggest that these attacks are merely about land grabbing or cattle grazing disputes. However, beneath these headlines lie silent triggers of unreported incidences that stoke anger, fuel mistrust, and perpetuate conflict in communities already teetering on the edge.
The individuals who are perpetrating these attacks are known. They lived within the communities. Yet, no one is willing to point fingers in the right direction. No one dares to break the silence and no arrest will be made at the end of the day. And even when perpetrators are caught in the act, top officials, traditional rulers and the security agencies will always find a way to disposed the cases without allowing justice to prevail.
The National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has recently emphasized the urgent need for a shift from reactive disaster response to proactive, anticipatory action, describing it as a national security imperative. Ribadu who made the remarks at a high-level workshop on “Coordinated Risk Monitoring and Communication for Floods and Other Disasters,” held at the National Counter Terrorism Center (NCTC), under the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) on Wednesday April 16, 2025.
He warned that poorly managed disasters could trigger cascading security risks, including mass displacement, the destruction of critical infrastructure, and the deepening of societal fragilities. “Unmanaged disasters exacerbate insecurity and fuel vulnerabilities. If we fail to prepare, we risk overwhelming our response systems when crises occur,” Ribadu added.
The reason crises continue is because no one is ever held accountable,” said a local elder in Miango District. “Whether it’s a poisoned cow or those who burnt villages, people act with impunity, knowing nothing will happen in the end. The most concerning aspect of incidents like this is not just the loss, but the aftermath. For pastoralist communities, cattle are not just animals. They represent livelihood, heritage, and sustenance. To lose nearly thirty animals in one day without warning or confrontation represents a devastating economic and emotional loss. For many herding families, this is the equivalent of losing their farms, homes, and life’s savings in a single act,”he said.
In Plateau State, mistrust between farming and herding communities has persisted for decades. Efforts at peacebiulding whether through state government panels, non-governmental interventions, or community dialogues often fail to address the granular realities of life in rural conflict prone areas. These include issues of land access, grazing routes, resource competition, and crucially, justice on both sides. For many in Plateau, peace remains elusive not because of a lack of effort, but because of the absence of consistent, fair, and timely responses to incidents that ignite violence by the state government and other response agencies. When cattle are poisoned, and perpetrators go unidentified; when farmers or communities are attacked, and no arrests are made each failure builds a wall of silence and suspicion between neighbours.
Security may contain violence temporarily, but true peace requires addressing the root causes. In Kimakpa, Kimakpa, Zamura and other parts of Bassa, these causes are deeply embedded in the daily lives of ordinary people farmers and herders, youth and elders, victims and survivors.
As Plateau State continues its journey toward recovery and reconciliation, incidents like the mass cattle poisoning are stark reminders that peace is not just the absence of gunfire. It is the presence of fairness, of justice, and of deliberate efforts to dismantle the small but deadly acts that make violence feel inevitable.
Until those foundations are built and built in truth the crisis in Plateau may remain unsolved.
Zagazola Makama is a Counter Insurgency Expert and Security Analyst in the Lake Chad Region.
Silent Triggers of Conflict: The Poisoning of 28 Cattle and Another Unfolding Crisis in Plateau
NIMC Reiterates Zero Tolerance for Misconduct, Says Modifications of NIN Data only Online
By: Michael Mike
The National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has said it has no agents for modification of data and that it operates a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of extortion, falsification, or unethical practices by staff or licensed Front-End Partners.
The Commission made the announcement on Monday in a statement by its spokesman, Dr. Kayode Adegoke.
The statement read: “The attention of the National Identity Management Commission (NIMC) has been drawn to a media report alleging that some enrolment agents in Abuja are collecting money from applicants for falsification of dates of birth.
“For the records, all NIN data modifications are done online through the NIMC self-service modification portal – selfservicemodification.nimc.gov.ng – and no physical modification is allowed. NIMC does not have agents for modification of data and the Commission operates a zero-tolerance policy for all forms of extortion, falsification, or unethical practices by staff or licensed Front-End Partners.
“The public is hereby reminded to adhere to the approved statutory modification processes with official guidelines and fees. The Commission urge NIN holders to report any cases of extortion or misconduct through our official complaint channels:
(+234-9-134959433, 08155015388); actu@nimc.gov.ng; ieu@nimc.gov.ng
“NIMC reassures that the integrity of the National Identity Database remains secure and will continue to strengthen transparency, accountability, and trust in Nigeria’s identity management system.”
NIMC Reiterates Zero Tolerance for Misconduct, Says Modifications of NIN Data only Online
News
Nasarawa Hosts Nigeria’s First Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Driving Green Economy Prospects
Nasarawa Hosts Nigeria’s First Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Driving Green Economy Prospects
By: Michael Mike
Nasarawa State has emerged as the pioneer host of Nigeria’s first Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, a landmark project under the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP) that signals the country’s resolve to address air pollution while unlocking new socio-economic opportunities.
The centre, jointly facilitated by the Federal Government, Nasarawa State Government, and private sector partners, is expected not only to curb harmful vehicular emissions but also to generate employment, boost revenue, and position Nigeria as a regional leader in environmental compliance.
Representing the Minister of Environment at the commissioning, Permanent Secretary Mahmud Kambari described the facility as a strategic intervention to safeguard lives and advance sustainable development.
He said: “Air pollution is a silent killer. It affects the quality of life, agricultural output, health and well-being of all citizens. Air contamination does not discriminate; it affects children, the elderly, workers, rich, poor and even unborn generations.”
He emphasized that the project aligns with international best practices, ensuring stricter regulation of vehicle emissions and reaffirming Nigeria’s global environmental commitments.
“Through the establishment of this Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Nigeria is taking a bold step towards achieving better air quality by regulating vehicle maintenance, emissions and ensuring compliance with environmental standards as is applicable globally,” Kambari added.
The event also highlighted the power of partnerships in advancing environmental goals. Commending stakeholders, Kambari said: “I would like to commend Messrs Bhustan Energy, our principal partner on this project, for their unrelenting contributions to the success of today’s event. I also wish to thank the Executive Governor of Nasarawa State who… worked hand in hand with us to provide the site for the Centre.”
Director of Pollution Control and Environmental Health, Dr. Bahijjahtu Abubakar, echoed this sentiment, stressing that political will and collaboration were central to the project’s success.
She said: “Without the support, initiatives like this will not see the light of day… The visionary Governor of Nasarawa, Engr. Abdullahi Sule, has taken the initial step by becoming the pioneer in what will eventually become a nationwide project.”
She further urged all stakeholders to safeguard the facility, stating that: “This Centre is a collective responsibility of all the people gathered here. It is our project and we must do all we can to ensure the safety of the equipment because it is for our collective good.”
Speaking for the Nasarawa state government, Permanent Secretary in the State Ministry of Environment, Hussain Usman underscored the socio-economic potential of the centre.
He said: “The state is ready to collaborate with the Federal Ministry of Environment to fight the pollution through environmental tests to improve the air quality in the state,” adding that: “To provide employment, apart from that, also to generate more revenue for the state. This is very, very important to us in Nasarawa State.”
Nasarawa Hosts Nigeria’s First Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Driving Green Economy Prospects
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
By: Zagazola Makama
The Adara Development Association (ADA) has expressed deep shock and sadness over a deadly attack by unknown gunmen on Wakeh community in Agunu Ward, Kachia Local Government Area of Kaduna State, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday, September 7, 2025.
According to a statement by the ADA National Publicity Secretary, Livinus Paul Magaji, heavily armed attackers invaded the village, blocking entrance routes to prevent possible assistance from neighbouring communities.
The assault left eight people dead and nine others seriously injured. Victims were reportedly given mass burial, while the injured are receiving treatment at St. Gerald Catholic Hospital, Kakuri, Alheri Hospital, and Royal Hospital in Kachia. Several properties, including a bus, were destroyed, causing millions of naira in losses.
The association noted that such attacks have become increasingly frequent in Adara communities since, despite the presence of security in the area. ADA strongly condemned the violence, describing it as barbaric and inhumane.
“ADA leadership calls on the Kaduna State Government and other relevant authorities to take immediate and decisive action to protect lives and property and to ensure that perpetrators are brought to justice,” the statement said.
It added that the Adara community is ready to collaborate with government and security agencies to curb the ongoing attacks.
The association also extended condolences to the families of the victims, wishing speedy recovery to those injured, while urging residents to remain calm, vigilant, and avoid taking the law into their own hands.
ADA reaffirmed its commitment to peaceful coexistence and called on all indigenes and residents of Adara land to work with government and stakeholders to build sustainable peace in the region.
The Kaduna state government are yet to visit the affected communities or make any statement on the attack.
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
NIMC Reiterates Zero Tolerance for Misconduct, Says Modifications of NIN Data only Online
Nasarawa Hosts Nigeria’s First Vehicular Emissions Testing Centre, Driving Green Economy Prospects
Adara development association condemns wakeh community attack in Kachia LGA
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