A 41-year-old herder, Musa Lawal, collapsed in shock after discovering that 42 of his cows had mysteriously died in Koroko community, Kwali Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
The bizarre incident happened on Tuesday after two of Lawal’s sons took the cattle out to graze.
FCT Treasurer of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Yahuza Ibrahim, said the animals were later found dead in different parts of the bush, with suspicion that they may have eaten chemically contaminated grass.
Ibrahim said he rushed to the scene on the directive of the MACBAN chairman and counted 42 dead cows.
He said Lawal, overwhelmed by the devastating loss, fainted immediately after arriving at the scene. The herder was rushed to the General Hospital, Kwali, where he was treated and discharged the following day.
The tragedy drew the attention of Kwali Area Council Chairman, Hon. Nuhu Daniel Kwali, who visited the grieving family alongside Fulani leaders.
Describing the incident as shocking, the chairman directed the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to investigate the mysterious deaths.
He also said the council was considering support for the herder to ease his losses and prevent possible tension between farmers and herders in the community.
