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, which occurred on Friday at Okudu community in neighbouring Otukpo Local Government Area, has sparked fresh tension in parts of the state amid lingering security concerns.
According to sources, Muhammad had attended a peace meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini LGA. The meeting brought together community leaders and Fulani herders to discuss ways of restoring peace in Ayunne community, where several people were recently killed in an attack.
The victims were reportedly travelling home after the meeting when gunmen ambushed their vehicle and shot them dead.
Muhammad’s eldest son, Idris Muhammad, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview on Friday, saying his father was attacked while returning from the peace dialogue.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the killings, describing the incident as disturbing.
“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 neighbouring areas,” Ogiri said.
He appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that security agencies were handling the situation.
Also confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, said the deceased participated in the peace meeting before the attack.
“There was a crisis in Ayunne community where some people were killed, and the DPO convened a peace meeting involving Fulani herders and members of the host community.
“I was informed that the meeting ended successfully, but while the MACBAN chairman was returning home, gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo Local Government Area and killed him alongside another person,” Gabriel said.
The national leadership of MACBAN condemned the killings, describing the incident as “dastardly and deeply disturbing.”
In a statement signed by its National President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, the association said it was particularly troubling that a community leader who had attended a peace meeting became a victim shortly afterwards.
MACBAN also raised concerns over reports that one of the deceased’s children, a lawyer, was allegedly attacked in a village about a week earlier.
The association called on security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation, stressing that attacks on community leaders and peace advocates threaten efforts to promote dialogue, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence.
It extended its condolences to the family of the deceased and members of MACBAN in Benue State, while reaffirming its commitment to working with security agencies to address the country’s security challenges.