By George OPARA
Tension is brewing in Benue state as the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku Muhammad, has been killed in an ambush by unknown gunmen in Otukpo Council area of the state.
The tragic incident occurred at about 2 p.m. on Friday adjacent to the Okudu community as Muhammad and his associate, Yakubu Isah, were returning from a peace and security meeting held in neighbouring Ohimini Local Government Area.
Reliable Sources told Spear News Nigeria that the meeting was convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Idekpa, Ohimini, to address security concerns in the area.
The sources who pleaded anonymity disclosed that the victims were ambushed by armed assailants who opened fire on their vehicle, killing both men on the spot.
When contacted, the deceased’s eldest son, Idris Muhammad, said his father and Isah were attacked shortly after leaving the meeting.
“They killed my father, the Ardo, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, after around 2 p.m. while they were returning from the peace meeting called by the DPO in Ohimini. We have recovered their bodies and taken them to Oyangede for burial”.
Spear News Nigeria gathered that the killings have heightened tension in the area, with residents expressing fears of possible reprisals and renewed violence.
Also, Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the attack and described the security situation around the scene as tense. He, however, appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that security agencies were working to prevent a breakdown of law and order.
“The area where the incident happened is tense right now, but I appeal for calm because the police are on top of the situation,” Ogiri said.
Also confirming the incident, the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, said the late MACBAN chairman had participated in a successful peace meeting before he was attacked while travelling through Otukpo.
Adole said the killings were unfortunate but added that security agencies had been notified to investigate the circumstances surrounding the attack.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed the incident through its spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, who said an investigation had commenced.
Edet assured residents that the command would work to identify and apprehend those responsible for the killings, while urging the public to remain peaceful and cooperate with investigators.
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