The family of Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, the late Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), is demanding a comprehensive investigation into his murder. Alhaji Muhammad and his associate, Yakubu Isah, were killed on Friday afternoon while returning from a peace meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ohimini Local Government Area.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Sequence of Events

According to the victim’s eldest son, Muhammad Idris, his father had traveled to Idekpa by motorcycle to attend the police-arranged dialogue, which aimed to address complaints regarding cattle-related crop destruction. Idris noted several concerning details regarding the meeting:

• Key local stakeholders, including the traditional ruler and the Ohimini Council Chairman, were notably absent from the gathering.

• While the meeting concluded peacefully, the family suspects a targeted operation, noting that a suspicious tinted Hilux van was observed monitoring the group shortly before the fatal attack.

• The ambush occurred at approximately 2:00 PM in Okwudu, Otukpo Local Government Area—just a few kilometers from the meeting site—resulting in the deaths of the MACBAN leader and Mr. Isah.

Official Response and Appeals for Calm

The family has questioned the security arrangements for such a high-risk meeting and is urging the Benue State Government and the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a transparent investigation.

In a joint press conference in Makurdi, local government chairmen from Idoma land and Governor Hyacinth Alia’s Special Adviser on Internal Security condemned the act. Key takeaways from the officials included:

• Denial of Ethnic Targeting: Ohimini Council Chairman Gabriel Adole and Agatu Chairman James Melvin Ejeh emphasized that the murder was the work of “criminal elements” and enemies of peace, explicitly stating it was not a premeditated act by the local Idoma-speaking community.

• Commitment to Justice: Officials vowed to support security agencies in uncovering the perpetrators and insisted that the killers be identified and prosecuted.

• Plea Against Reprisals: Joseph Har, the Special Adviser on Internal Security, described the incident as unacceptable and urged the Fulani community to avoid retaliatory attacks, warning that such actions would only further destabilize the region’s recent period of relative peace.