A video shared on November 11 shows several dead black and white cows in tall grass, prompting claims that a frustrated farmer poisoned rice crops with a pesticide such as Otapiapia to stop cattle from grazing there.
Some people online defended the farmer, citing alleged repeated complaints and a lack of help from authorities. Others condemned the act as cruel and warned it could intensify tensions between farming and herding communities.
The circumstances remain unverified, and officials have yet to comment. The incident has revived concerns about Nigeria’s longstanding farmer-herder conflicts and the management of land and livestock.
Click the link to watch the video.
Here are some reactions on X:
Gevi @Gheefted_01: as a farmer, you need to protect your farm products from pests and have a proper pest control techniques & management or else, your product won’t yield well and have a good quality for sales.
Dendrick @kunfudenny_: I hope all farmers have memorized this, if the government cannot help you, you can help yourselves. Enough is enough.
onigbinde kehinde @keennyola: We cannot build peace by taking turns destroying each other’s livelihoods. Farmers must protect their land without endangering lives or animals and herders must keep their cattle off people’s farms. Everyone has a place, and respecting that place should not be too much to ask.
Moshood @_morsh08: Make them give this commentator some bottled of beer and to the owner of the farm, Can they give him some chilled crate of beer
Prosenal @Prospeechi: The man didn’t mean to kill the cows he only sprayed pesticides for pest control unfortunately for the cows
MaYoWa✨ @_MayowaBello: The farmer’s crop is not just food, it’s his entire year’s income, school fees, and feeding for his family. When herders allow cattle to eat it, they are destroying his livelihood. The law allows a man to defend his property when all else fails.
ᴅᴀɪʟʏ ᴘɪᴘꜱ (ɢᴜ)📈 @pips_daily: Any evidence of poisoning? The cow was sick and die at somebody farm , when they are damaging the farm .
SeyVibezS @mslaggert: Commentator suppose do jail 💔
Aaré @Aare_AlfLaposh: I don’t know how to judge this. The herder has been totally wrong all these while and now the crop farmer has done what he considered best. You don’t feed your animals on another man’s sweat.
A.F Adewale @Akewusolaf: Can the cow be consumed?
EmmaCfc @petithazard2: That community should be scared for their lives
Ogochukwu ❤️ @TheEmmalez: This is so satifying to watch