WATCH THE VIDEO HERE A 54-year-old farmer, Jeremiah Onuminya, from the Usha community in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, reportedly collapsed and died following a false alarm about an attack by suspected herders. Community sources revealed that when some youths suddenly shouted in panic, “Fulani! Fulani!!” Attempting to flee, he ran but collapsed just meters from his house, dying instantly. The incident occurred amid rising tension in the community after 20 cows were allegedly poisoned on a nearby farm. Confirming the development in a statement today, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government, Melvin James, extended condolences to the deceased’s family. He stated that preliminary investigations, backed by security agencies and the family, indicated that Onuminya collapsed due to exhaustion while fleeing, with no evidence of an actual attack. “The chairman proposed an autopsy to determine the precise cause of death, but the family declined, attributing Mr. Onuminya’s passing to health complications,” the statement, issued by his media aide Solomon Obochi, read in part. James urged residents to refrain from spreading unverified information that could incite panic and destabilize the fragile peace in the area. He cautioned that false alarms posed significant risks to public safety and ongoing security efforts. Meanwhile, the Benue State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Risku Mohammed, had alleged that a local farmer had poisoned 20 cows belonging to one of its members.
BENUE: Farmer dies after false alarm causes panic
