Hilda Dokubo, a well-known Nigerian actress and political activist, has strongly criticized Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang’s recent decision to form an investigative panel to look into the state’s suspected cow poisoning. Public discussion has been sparked by the investigation’s statement, particularly in view of a previous tragedy that claimed human lives in the same area.
The controversy stems from a report by PREMIUM TIMES, which revealed that the Plateau State government initiated an inquiry after receiving reports that several cows had died under suspicious circumstances. According to the report, the cattle deaths occurred shortly after Governor Mutfwang visited Bassa Local Government Area to offer an apology over a violent invasion that claimed numerous human lives.
The state government has yet to release a detailed statement on the composition or mandate of the inquiry panel. However, the timing and nature of the investigation have provoked criticism from various quarters, including civil society advocates and public figures who question the government’s priorities.
“Many times, it’s difficult to tell whether those in authority in Nigeria understand the worth of a human life,” she wrote. “How do we even start imagining that for 38 cows, a panel of inquiry is set up, but for 51 human lives?”
Dokubo’s post has since garnered widespread attention, with many social media users echoing her sentiments. Critics argue that the government’s swift action to investigate the death of livestock, while seemingly failing to provide the same level of concern for human victims of violence, highlights deeper systemic issues in governance and human rights accountability.
The initial violent incident in Bassa, which claimed over 50 lives, has been linked to longstanding ethnic and communal tensions in the region. Despite the scale of the tragedy, there has been no formal announcement of an independent probe or accountability process for the human casualties.As public pressure mounts, some legal and human rights groups have called on the Plateau State government to balance its approach to justice and demonstrate equal concern for human life. Several advocacy organizations are also urging the federal government to intervene and ensure transparency in both the cattle poisoning investigation and the unresolved violence in Bassa.
Governor Mutfwang has yet to respond publicly to the criticism sparked by his administration’s decision. It remains to be seen whether the state will take additional steps to address the broader concerns now dominating public discourse.
