Gunmen have killed the Benue State Chairman of the
Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Muhammad,
and another man identified as Yakubu Isah in Otukpo Local Government Area of
the state.
The victims were reportedly attacked on Friday, June
26, while returning from a peace meeting held in Ohinmini Local Government
Area.
According to reports, the meeting was convened by the
Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohinmini and attended by leaders of the
Ayunne community alongside representatives of Fulani herders as part of ongoing
efforts to address security concerns in the area.
The assailants allegedly ambushed the vehicle
conveying Muhammad and his companion at Okudu community in Otukpo Local
Government Area, killing both men.
Muhammad's eldest son confirmed the incident in a
telephone interview with journalists, saying his father was ambushed and killed
while travelling home after the meeting.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell
Ogiri, also confirmed the attack, describing the incident as one that has
heightened tension across the affected community and neighbouring areas.
"It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was
killed within Otukpo Local Government Area this afternoon. The killing has
raised tension in the community and surrounding areas," Ogiri said.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them
that security agencies were responding to the situation.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ohinmini Local
Government Area, Adole Gabriel, said the peace meeting had been successful
before the tragic attack occurred.
"You know there was a crisis in Ayunne community
where some people were killed some time ago, and the DPO of Ohinmini convened a
peace meeting with Fulani herders and members of the community," Gabriel
said.
"I was told the meeting was fruitful and, at the
end of it, the MACBAN chairman left. Unfortunately, I later learnt that some
gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo Local Government Area
and killed him alongside one other person."
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command,
DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the incident, stating that the Command had received
the report and had commenced an investigation.
Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government
Areas have witnessed repeated attacks in recent months, with several
communities experiencing violent assaults attributed to suspected armed
herders.
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