Benue farmer slumps, dies over false attack alarm

A 54-year-old farmer from the Usha community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State reportedly slumped and died due to false alarms raised by some youths in the village.

Our correspondent learnt on Wednesday that the farmer identified as Jeremiah Onuminya was on his way to the farm on Monday when some boys suddenly shouted ‘Fulani! Fulani!! and in a bid to escape, ran for dear life.

“Unfortunately, he was a few metres from his house when he slumped and died,” a source in the village told our correspondent.

The deceased’s farm, according to the locals who spoke to our correspondent, is next to the farm where 20 cows were allegedly poisoned last Saturday.

The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Melvin James, confirmed this in a statement by his media aide, Solomon Obochi, in Makurdi, on Wednesday.

James, who claimed to have reached out to the family of the deceased to console them, said the family turned down his suggestion to conduct an autopsy.

The statement read in parts, “Agatu Local Government Council deeply mourns the unfortunate demise of Mr Jeremiah Onuminya from Usha Ward, who passed away on March 31, 2025, following a distressing incident triggered by a false alarm about an impending attack.

“Preliminary investigations, corroborated by security agencies and Mr. Onuminya’s family, indicate that he collapsed due to exhaustion while fleeing, and there was no evidence of any assault by Fulani herdsmen.

“In an effort to ascertain the exact cause of death, the chairman suggested conducting an autopsy. However, the family declined, accepting that Onuminya’s passing resulted from health complications.”

The council chairman urged all residents to remain calm and refrain from spreading unverified information that could incite panic and disrupt the peace, warning that dissemination of false alarms poses significant risks to the well-being of the people and undermines the progress being made in fostering unity and security.

While expressing his commitment to ensuring the safety and security of all Agatu residents, the LG chair promised to collaborate with security agencies to maintain vigilance and address any potential threats.

He appealed to Agatu residents to exercise caution and verify information before sharing to prevent the recurrence of such unfortunate incidents.

PUNCH Metro had reported that the chairman of Miyeitti Ala Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Benue State chapter, Risku Mohammed, on Sunday, alleged that a farmer in Usha had a day earlier poisoned 20 cows belonging to one of his members in the LGA.