From Msuur Akase, Makurdi
The Benue State government has condemned the killing of the state Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Risku Mohammed, and described the sad incident as a criminal act.
This was even as the state Police Command has arrested 10 suspects in connection with the murder.
Joseph Har, the Special Adviser on Internal Security to Governor Hyacinth Alia, who briefed journalists alongside some local government chairmen from Zone C on Sunday in Makurdi, urged the people, especially members of MACBAN, not to resort to reprisals in response to the unfortunate incident.
The special adviser described the killing as unacceptable, noting that it occurred at a time the state had enjoyed about six months of relative peace.
“We condemn this killing in the strongest terms, just as we condemn every unnecessary loss of life. It is unacceptable, especially now that Benue has been enjoying relative calm.
“The late MACBAN chairman had been a strong advocate of peace and was returning from a peace meeting when he was attacked.
“If he had anticipated such an attack, he would not have travelled so freely on a motorcycle. This is a criminal act, and we dissociate ourselves completely from it,” Har said.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area and Deputy Chairman of the Association of Local Governments of Nigeria (ALGON) in Benue, Melvin Ejeh, described the killing as a painful loss.
He rejected suggestions that the killing was orchestrated by the Idoma people or any community in Benue South.
“This was carried out by criminals. It is not the action of the Idoma people, Ogbadibo, Otukpo, Ohimini or any community in Benue South,” he said.
Similarly, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Prince Maxwell Ogiri, condemned the killing, describing it as painful, as the deceased had been actively involved in efforts to deepen peace in the area.
Ogiri urged residents to remain law-abiding and allow security agencies to complete their investigations.
“We believe those who carried out this act are enemies of peace. Nobody should take the law into their hands. We are confident the perpetrators will be brought to justice,” he said.
Meanwhile, a statement issued on Sunday by the Benue State Police Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said that intensive intelligence gathering and tactical operations carried out by the command led to the arrest of the 10 suspects.
“The suspects were arrested on the night of June 27, 2026, during a coordinated operation by tactical teams in the Otukpo area of the state,” he said.
The command identified the suspects as Titus Thyodenda, 25; Utibe Sam, 20; Owoicho Ameh, 18; Sunday Useni, 21; Sunday Ogbanje, 46; Daniel Raphael, 23; Adokole John, 24; Samuel Ogazi, 32; Agbo Daniel, 25; and Onazi James, 30.