Police arrest 80-year-old man, four traditional chiefs over killing of Benue MACBAN chairman

The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven additional suspects, including an 80-year-old man and four traditional chiefs, in connection with the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed.

The latest arrests, announced on Saturday, followed what police described as intelligence-led operations aimed at identifying those responsible for the attack. The development comes after 10 suspects were earlier arrested in connection with the case.

Alhaji Mohammed and his associate, Yakubu Isa Mairiga, were ambushed and killed by armed assailants along the Otukpo axis while returning from a peace and security meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ohimini Local Government Area. The meeting was aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence between farmers and herders in the area.

In a statement, the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, said the ongoing investigation led to the arrest of seven more suspects believed to have played various roles in the attack.

Those arrested include 80-year-old Sylvester Ajonye, four traditional rulers identified as Chief Morgan Ejaga, 43; Chief Moses Anteyi, 45; Chief John Ogli, 58; and Chief Yawuhu Adaji, 49. Also arrested were Aba Alexander Uloko, 59, and Fidelis Iduma, 45.

Police said all the suspects are currently in custody and are assisting investigators as efforts continue to identify and apprehend other individuals connected to the crime.

The killing of the MACBAN chairman had raised fresh concerns over security and inter-community relations in Benue State.

Reacting to the incident earlier, the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, described the attack as an attempt to undermine ongoing peace efforts in the state and called for a thorough investigation to ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended officers involved in the investigation and assured residents that the command would continue to pursue all those linked to the attack.

He urged members of the public to remain calm, avoid reprisals, and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information that could assist the ongoing investigation.

The police also reiterated their commitment to prosecuting anyone found to have directly or indirectly participated in the killing in accordance with the law.