Police Investigate Killing Of Benue MACBAN Chairman After Security Meeting

The Benue State Police Command has opened an investigation into the killing of the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria after a security meeting in Otukpo Local Government Area.

Daily Post reported that the police identified the MACBAN chairman as Ardo Rabo Mohammed and named the second victim as Yakubu Isa. Punch had earlier reported the killing of the Benue MACBAN chairman, naming him as Alhaji Risku Muhammad.

The police said the victims were attacked by unknown assailants on Friday while returning from a security meeting along the Okwudu-Ogoli Road in Otukpo LGA.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, Commissioner of Police Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu condemned the attack and described it as a criminal act capable of undermining peace efforts in the state.

The commissioner said tactical and intelligence assets had been deployed to identify, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the killings.

He urged residents to remain calm and avoid spreading unverified information that could raise tension.

Governor Hyacinth Alia also reacted to the killing in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula. Daily Post reported that Alia referred to the victim as Alhaji Ardo Risku and said the incident came shortly after a security meeting.

Alia directed security agencies to carry out a full investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice. He appealed to members of MACBAN and the wider public to remain law-abiding.

The governor said the killing of a community leader or peace advocate was a blow to dialogue between stakeholders in the state.

Because the reports use different name forms for the MACBAN chairman, this story identifies him mainly by his office while attributing each name variant to the outlet that reported it.

Sources: Punch RSS, Daily Post