Gunmen Murder Benue MACBAN Chairman, One Other As Police Fumes.

….Alia Condemns  Incidence, Tension Hits Communities.

From Attah Ede 

Gunmen on Friday night murdered the Benue state chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ardo Risku Muhammad and one other identified as Yakubu Isah.

The killing of the MACBAN state chairman has raised tension in some communities in the state particularly Benue South Senatorial Districts.

The deceased eldest son who disclosed who disclosed this to newsmen in a telephone chat late on Friday said that the father was ambushed and killed.

According to the son  who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi Friday night said that his father had attended a peace meeting allegedly conveyed by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini with leaders of Ayunne community in Ohinmini Local Government Area of the state on Friday.

He stated that after the meeting, his father  and his colleague were travelling back when  some gunmen ambushed him at a Okuku village in Otukpo LGA and murdered him with other occupant of the vehicle.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri  said that there is palpable tension in the community the incident happened and other neighbouring communities in the LG.

He said, “It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon, the killing has raised tension in the community and environs.”

Ogiri who called on residents of the local government to remain calm said that security operatives were on top of the situation.

Also speaking on the incident, the Chairman of Ohinmini LGA, Adole Gabriel stated that the MACBAN state chairman had attended a peace meeting conveyed by the Divisional Police Officer of the local government on Friday.

“You know there was a crisis at Ayunne community where some people were killed sometimes ago and the DPO of Ohinmini conveyed a peace meeting with the fulani herders and the community.

“I was told that the meeting was fruitful and at the end of the meeting, the man (MACBAN chairman) left, unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him with one other person.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the state command, DSP Udeme Edet said she has received the report and promised to release statement to the effect soon.

Meanwhile, the Commissioner Of Police, Benue State Command, has strongly condemned in its entirety the brutal killing of the chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association Of Nigeria (MAC BAN), Benue State chapter, Ardo Rabo Mohammed and one Yakubu Isa who were  attacked by unknown assailant(s) while returning from a security meeting along Okwudu Ogoli road Otukpo.

The command disclosed the incident as unfortunate, senseless and criminal act that is capable of undermining the peace and security efforts currently being sustained across the state. 

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, (CP) Cletus  Nwadiogbu who spoke in a statement on Saturday, expressed deep concern over the incident and extend heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased and all those affected by this tragic loss.

The statement  which wass signed by the Command Police Public Relations Officer PPRO DSP Udeme Edet l, assured that the command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident,

while tactical and intelligent assets have been deployed to identify, apprehend, and bring the perpetrators to justice.

The command will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the culprits are arrested and prosecuted.

The CP urged members of the public to remain calm, law-abiding, and refrain from taking the law into their own hands or spreading unverified information capable of escalating tensions.

He further appeals to anyone with credible information that could help the investigation to promptly report to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines.

Similarly Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State, has expressed deep shock and sadness over the reported killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku and his friend.

He said that the heinous act came at a particularly sensitive time when the state is witnessing a significant return to peace and stability across various local government areas. 

The Governor viewed  this incident not only as a tragedy to the state but as a direct attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and the atmosphere of reconciliation that his administration has worked tirelessly to foster.

“It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting”.

He emphasizes that the killing of any community leader or peace advocate is a blow to the ongoing dialogue between various stakeholders in the state. 

The Governor therefore, issues a clear and firm directive to all relevant security agencies to launch a thorough and transparent investigation immediately to uncover the circumstances surrounding the killing.

He further urged  the security agencies to leave no stone unturned in fishing out the perpetrators of the heinous act and bring them to justice swiftly to serve as a deterrent to others who seek to destabilize the state.

 Enhanced security measures to ensure that community leaders engaging in security and peace-building efforts are protected.

While he regrets this setback, he urges all members of MACBAN and the general public to remain calm and law-abiding. 

“We must not allow those who profit from chaos to succeed in inciting further violence or disrupting the peace we have taken time to build”.

He extend his heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Ardo Risku and the entire MACBAN community.

“Our administration remains resolute: Benue is a home for peace, and we will not allow the shadows of the past to eclipse the bright future we are currently building”.