The Benue State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, were ambushed and killed shortly after attending a peace meeting in Ohinmini Local Government Area.
Gunmen have killed the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, shortly after they attended a peace meeting in Ohinmini Local Government Area of the state. The attack occurred on Friday at Okudu community in neighbouring Otukpo Local Government Area.
According to reports, the peace meeting was convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohinmini Local Government Area and brought together Fulani herders and community leaders to discuss measures aimed at restoring peace in Ayunne community following a recent security incident. After the meeting ended, Muhammad and Isah were travelling back when gunmen reportedly ambushed their vehicle and shot them dead.
Muhammad’s eldest son, Idris Muhammad, confirmed the killing in a telephone interview, stating that his father was attacked while returning from the peace meeting. The Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, also confirmed that the deceased had participated in the dialogue before the attack occurred.
The incident has heightened tension in parts of Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Areas, where communities have continued to face security challenges. The attack occurred shortly after a meeting intended to promote dialogue and restore peace, drawing renewed attention to ongoing security concerns in the affected areas.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, described the killing as disturbing and appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that security agencies were responding to the situation. The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed that the command had received the report and that an investigation was underway.
As of Friday evening, security authorities had commenced investigations into the attack while community leaders appealed for calm as efforts continue to establish the circumstances surrounding the killings.
