How Benue MACBAN Chairman Was Killed
Fresh details have emerged on the circumstances surrounding the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, who was attacked shortly after attending a peace meeting reportedly convened by the police.
According to the deceased’s family, Alhaji Risku received a telephone call on Friday morning inviting him to a peace meeting at the Ohimini Divisional Police Headquarters. He informed his family that he was responding to an invitation from the Divisional Police Officer (DPO).
The MACBAN chairman had initially planned to travel to the meeting in his vehicle but changed his mind because of the poor condition of the road. He instead travelled on a motorcycle alongside his associate, Yakubu Isah. Two other Fulani leaders, Alhaji Muazu and Alhaji Gudel, also attended the meeting but rode on separate motorcycles.
Speaking on behalf of the family, Muhammad Idris said they became concerned after learning that several key stakeholders expected at the meeting, including the Ohimini Local Government Chairman and the Ado of Ohimini, were absent. According to him, only the DPO and a few elders from the Awule and Alulu communities were present.
During the meeting, participants reportedly discussed complaints of cattle destroying farmlands. Idris said his father maintained that such disputes could be resolved by identifying the herders involved, inspecting the affected farms and arranging compensation where necessary, rather than summoning him to a meeting.
The meeting also addressed concerns by some community members who feared visiting Fulani settlements to report grievances. Although Alhaji Risku reportedly welcomed further dialogue, no date was fixed for another engagement.
After the meeting ended, Alhaji Muazu and Alhaji Gudel departed immediately, while Alhaji Risku and Yakubu Isah remained briefly behind with the DPO before setting off for home.
The family said one of the men who had left earlier later reported seeing a Hilux vehicle with tinted windows parked along the route. According to the account, the occupants lowered their window, observed them and allowed them to continue.
However, at about 2 p.m., gunmen allegedly ambushed the motorcycle carrying Alhaji Risku and Yakubu Isah at Okwudu in Otukpo Local Government Area, only a few kilometres from Ohimini. Both men were killed in the attack.
The family has described the circumstances surrounding the incident as suspicious and has called on the Benue State Government, the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation.
They also questioned why a meeting they considered high-risk was held without adequate security and why several stakeholders reportedly invited to the meeting failed to attend.
The family described the late MACBAN chairman as a committed advocate of peaceful coexistence between herders and farming communities in Benue State.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with the killings, adding that investigations are ongoing.
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