The Benue State Police Command has arrested 10 suspects in connection with the killing of the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Mohammed.
The arrests were announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, who said the suspects were apprehended following intensive intelligence gathering and coordinated tactical operations.
According to the statement, the operation was carried out on the night of June 27, 2026, in the Otukpo area of the state.
The suspects were identified 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.
Mohammed and his associate, Yakubu Isah, were shot dead on Friday while returning from a peace meeting held in Ohinmini Local Government Area.
The victims were reportedly ambushed by gunmen at Okudu village in neighbouring Otukpo Local Government Area after attending the meeting, which was convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini and attended by community leaders and Fulani herders to address security concerns.
The killings heightened fears of renewed violence in parts of Benue that have witnessed recurring communal clashes and attacks.
Reacting to the arrests, the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the tactical teams and investigators for their swift action, describing the operation as a significant step in the ongoing investigation.
He assured residents that efforts were ongoing to identify and arrest other persons linked to the killings, stressing that everyone found culpable would face prosecution.
The police commissioner also appealed to members of the public to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies and provide credible information that could aid the investigation.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property while sustaining peace and security across Benue State.