More than 80 cattle have died in Adamawa State after grazing on what authorities believe to be poisonous grass in a rural community, raising concerns among livestock owners already counting heavy losses.
The incident happened in Chafajaule village, located in the Ribadu District of Fufore Local Government Area, where herders reported that their animals fell ill and died shortly after feeding on a plant locally known as “ngayari,” a type of wild sorghum.
According to the state’s Director of Veterinary Services, Dr. Bartholomew Nyalas, the deaths were likely caused by cyanide poisoning linked to the grass, which tends to grow rapidly after the first rains.
He explained that when consumed in large quantities, the plant can be highly toxic to cattle.
The scale of the losses has alarmed farmers and herders in the area, many of whom depend on livestock as their primary source of income.
State authorities say they have moved quickly to contain the situation.
The Commissioner for Livestock and Agricultural Development, Sa’idu Idris, confirmed that affected animals were identified and destroyed at the scene to prevent contaminated meat from entering the food chain.
He added that samples of both the grass and the carcasses have been sent to the National Veterinary Research Institute in Vom for further analysis.
Officials are urging residents to report any unusual animal deaths or suspected disease outbreaks to nearby veterinary offices to allow for swift intervention.
Meanwhile, local leaders, including representatives of the Fufore Emirate Council, have visited the affected community to offer support and assess the damage, as authorities work to prevent a repeat of the incident.
