Gunmen kill Benue Miyetti Allah Chairman in Otukpo Ambush

Ardo Muhammad, the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and another man referred to as Yakubu Isah, have been murdered in Otukpo Local Government Area by gunmen, leading to tensions in some sections of Otukpo and Ohinmini Local Government Areas.

It was found out that the chairman had gone for a peace conference, which was supposedly organized by the DPO of Ohinmini Local Government Area together with the leaders of Ayunne community on Friday.

As he left, the chairman and his friend were attacked by gunmen at Okudu community in Otukpo Local Government Area, resulting in the death of both of them.

The son of the late chairman, who revealed the occurrence in a telephone conversation with reporters on Friday night, revealed that his father was ambushed and killed after leaving the peace talk.

Maxwell Ogiri, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, confirmed the happenings, noting that the killings led to increased tension in the community and adjacent areas.

“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 its environs,” Ogiri said.

He appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that security operatives were on top of the situation.

Also confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, said the MACBAN chairman had attended the peace meeting convened by the DPO to address the lingering crisis in Ayunne community.

“You know there was a crisis in Ayunne community where some people were killed some time ago, and the DPO of Ohinmini convened a peace meeting with the Fulani herders and the community.

“I was told that 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 LGA and killed him along with one other person,” Gabriel said.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the incident, stating that the command had received the report and that investigations were ongoing.

Several communities in Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Areas have witnessed repeated attacks by suspected armed herders in recent months.