Tension gripped parts of Benue State on Friday after gunmen killed the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Risku Muhammad, and his friend, Yakubu Isah, shortly after a peace meeting in Ohinmini Local Government Area of the state.
The attack, which reportedly occurred at Okudu village in neighbouring Otukpo Local Government Area, has heightened fears of renewed violence in communities already troubled by recurring attacks and communal tensions.
It was gathered that Muhammad had attended a peace meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini LGA alongside community leaders and Fulani herders to discuss measures aimed at restoring peace in Ayunne Community, where several people were reportedly killed in a recent attack.
Sources said Muhammad and his companion were travelling back from the meeting when gunmen ambushed their vehicle and shot them dead.
The eldest son of the deceased, Idris Muhammad, who confirmed the incident in a telephone interview with our correspondent on Friday night, said his father was attacked while returning from the meeting.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the killing, describing the development 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 on top of the situation.
Also speaking, the Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, said the deceased had participated in the peace dialogue shortly before the attack.
“You know there was a crisis at Ayunne Community where some people were killed some time ago, and the DPO of Ohinmini convened a peace meeting involving Fulani herders and members of the community.
“I was told the meeting was fruitful and, at the end of it, the man (MACBAN chairman) left. Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu Community in Otukpo Local Government Area and killed him alongside one other person,” Gabriel said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, said the command had received a report of the attack.
She said investigations had commenced to unravel the circumstances surrounding the killings.
“I have received the report and investigation is ongoing,” Edet said.
Communities in Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Areas have witnessed repeated attacks in recent months, with several incidents blamed on suspected armed herders.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of MACBAN has condemned the killing, describing it as a “dastardly and deeply disturbing act.”
In a statement issued on Friday by its National President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, the association said the circumstances surrounding Muhammad’s death raised serious concerns.
MACBAN said it was particularly troubling that a community leader who attended a meeting aimed at promoting peace could become a victim shortly afterwards.
The association also expressed concern over reports that one of the deceased’s children, a lawyer, was allegedly attacked in a village about a week earlier.
It called on security agencies to carry out a thorough and transparent investigation into the incident.
“The killing of community leaders and peace advocates threatens efforts towards reconciliation, dialogue and peaceful coexistence among communities. Those who seek to destabilise society through violence must not be allowed to succeed,” the statement added.
The association commiserated with the family of the deceased, the leadership and members of MACBAN in Benue State, and pledged its continued commitment to promoting peace and collaboration with security agencies to address security challenges across the country.
