Hundreds of Cattle Die in River Benue: What Went Wrong?

It’s not every day you hear about a large herd of cattle meeting a tragic fate while trying to cross a river, but that’s exactly what happened recently along the River Benue, near the Nasarawa border?

On Saturday, June 14, 2025, communities along the River Benue woke up to a shocking sight – over 100 dead cattle floating near Achepe village in Nasarawa State. Eyewitnesses like Mr. Olikita Ekani, a local farmer, described how the riverbanks were lined with lifeless cows, and the air was thick with tension. The tragedy unfolded as suspected armed Fulani herdsmen, reportedly fleeing ongoing violence and reprisal attacks in Benue State, rushed to cross their cattle from Benue into Nasarawa. The herdsmen had been making hurried crossings for about a week, which locals say is often a sign that trouble is brewing or has just erupted in the area. As one fisherman put it, “Anytime they are rushing and crossing like this, just know that attacks are imminent. This is what has been happening here for the past one week”.

Their routes included several traditional crossing points such as Abugbe to Odenyi, Ocholonya to Akpekpo, Achukpa to Ijiwo, and Oleg’Ada’Gomowe to Achepe. These pathways are well-known among locals as migration corridors, especially during times of crisis or seasonal movement.

The real tragedy struck as the cattle attempted to climb the riverbanks, which had been weakened by erosion and recent heavy rains. Large chunks of soil collapsed onto the animals, burying some alive, while others panicked and drowned in the river’s strong currents. A fisherman who witnessed the event said, “Most of the dead cattle were killed by heavy soil falling on them when they came close to the land, while some drown while swimming.” Locals also say they have never seen such a mysterious and massive loss of cattle before. The combination of erosion, landslides, and the chaos of a mass crossing created a perfect storm, leading to the loss of more than 100 cows in a single day. The incident has left both herdsmen and local communities in shock.