The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Muhammad, and another man identified as Yakubu Isah, have been killed in an ambush by suspected gunmen in Otukpo Local Government Area.
The attack, which occurred on Friday, has reportedly heightened tension across parts of Otukpo and the neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Area.
According to reports, Muhammad had earlier attended a peace meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohinmini LGA. The meeting brought together Fulani leaders and representatives of the Ayunne community to discuss recent security challenges in the area.
After the meeting, Muhammad and Isah were travelling back when their vehicle was reportedly ambushed by armed attackers at the Okudu community in Otukpo LGA. Both men were killed during the attack.
Muhammad’s eldest son confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, stating that his father was attacked and murdered while returning from the peace meeting.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the incident, describing the killing as disturbing.
“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 surrounding areas,” Ogiri said.
He urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that security agencies had been mobilized to address the situation.
Similarly, the Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, confirmed that the slain MACBAN chairman had participated in the peace dialogue aimed at resolving lingering security concerns in Ayunne community.
Gabriel explained that the meeting was successful, but tragedy struck shortly after Muhammad departed.
“I was informed that the meeting ended peacefully. Unfortunately, while he was returning, gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu in Otukpo LGA and killed him alongside another person,” he said.
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the incident, adding that the command has launched an investigation into the killings.