Justice Must Prevail, Benue Leaders Say After MACBAN Chairman’s Killing

From Dooshima Terkura, Makurdi

Fresh condemnations have continued to follow the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku Muhammed, and his associate, as government officials and local government chairmen blamed criminal elements for the attack and appealed for calm.

Ardo Risku was reportedly ambushed and killed by armed assailants at Okwudu in Igoli, Otukpo Local Government Area, while returning from a peace meeting held in Ohimini Local Government Area.
Addressing journalists on Sunday, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, alongside the nine local government chairmen from Benue South Senatorial District, strongly condemned the killing, describing it as unacceptable and a threat to the peace currently being enjoyed in the state.
Har stated that the incident occurred at a time when Benue had recorded relative peace, noting that the state had not experienced any major armed herders’ attacks in about six months.
He described the late MACBAN chairman as a committed advocate of peace who dedicated himself to promoting harmony among communities.
Har extended condolences to the family of the deceased and members of MACBAN, stressing that neither the Idoma people nor the Benue State Government had any involvement in the attack. According to him, the killing was carried out by criminal elements bent on disrupting the existing peace.
He called on security agencies to intensify efforts to identify and apprehend those responsible for the murder. He also appealed to aggrieved persons, particularly members of MACBAN, to avoid taking the law into their own hands or engaging in retaliatory actions.
“We appeal to everyone to remain calm and law-abiding. The peace we are enjoying should not be destroyed by the actions of criminals,” Har said.
The Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area and Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Benue State, Melvin Ejeh, also condemned the killing and distanced the Idoma people from the incident.
He maintained that the attack was neither planned nor supported by any community but was the handiwork of individuals seeking to create unrest.
Ejeh described the murder as a tragic loss, noting that the deceased was widely recognised for promoting peace and development. He warned that reprisal attacks would only endanger innocent people and worsen tensions.
Similarly, the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, expressed shock over Risku’s death. He disclosed that he had maintained a cordial relationship with the deceased and had often collaborated with him to promote peaceful coexistence between herders and host communities.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, described the killing as a rude shock, especially at a time when efforts were being intensified to strengthen peace and security in the area. He assured the family of the deceased that authorities would do everything within their power to ensure that those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
The council chairmen jointly appealed to residents to cooperate with security agencies, remain peaceful, and allow the law to take its course, while reaffirming their commitment to sustaining peace and preventing any attempt to trigger further violence in Benue South.