MICHAEL AKINOLA
A 30-year old man, Samuel Egbetokun, has landed in trouble for allegedly killing herder’s cows with rat poison for eating his crops in his farmland in Ogun State.
P.M.EXPRESS reports that Police operatives from the Ogun State Police Command have arrested the suspect for his conduct by allegedly poisoning cows by lacing the rat poison inside cassava, which he tossed to the cows to eat and it led to their death.
The incident happened at Alabata community, Odeda Local Government Area of the State, where the herders were grazing the cows in a farm land.
This was disclosed by the Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Omolola Odutola, who confirmed that the suspect had laced cassava with rat poison and tossed it to the cows while they were grazing.
The image maker stated that two out of the three cows that consumed the harmful substance died instantly while a third is currently undergoing treatment.
“The incident came to light on 16th January, 2025, when a 54-year old man, Idris Lawal, of Akingbasa Village, complained to the local Police station,
“His cattle rearer, Boji Sanni, caught a man throwing cassava mixed with a substance suspected to be rat poison to his cattle while grazing on January 15, 2025.”
“The rearer reported that before realising that the cassava was laced with poison, some cows had consumed it. Consequently, two female cows died, and a third is undergoing treatment. The value of the dead cows is estimated at N1,500,000”.
“Following the report, Police detectives from the Odeda Division, tasked with conducting a preliminary investigation, combed the area and recovered the poisoned cassava, which was secured as evidence” Odutola said.
The suspect then reportedly confessed to the crime following his arrest.
The Commissioner of Police has taken a personal interest in the case, particularly due to concerns about potential retaliation from herders or cattle rearers. He warned others to refrain from such actions, emphasising that this case will serve as a deterrent.