Police Probe Killing Of Benue MACBAN Chairman

The Benue State Police Command has launched a full-scale investigation and manhunt following the killing of the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Risku Mohammed, and another man, Yakubu Isa, who were ambushed and shot dead by unidentified gunmen in Otukpo.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Makurdi by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Udeme Edet.

According to the police commissioner, the victims were attacked while returning from a security meeting along the Okwudu–Ogoli Road in Otukpo Local Government Area.

Nwadiogbu condemned the killings, describing them as senseless criminal acts capable of undermining ongoing efforts to sustain peace and security across Benue State.

He expressed deep concern over the incident and extended his condolences to the families of the deceased and all those affected by the tragedy.

The police commissioner said the command had immediately activated tactical and intelligence operations to track down the perpetrators, assuring residents that every effort was being made to ensure those responsible face justice.

“The command has commenced a full-scale investigation into the incident, while tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed to identify, apprehend and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The command will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the culprits are arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

Nwadiogbu urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding and refrain from taking the law into their own hands, warning against the spread of unverified information capable of escalating tensions within communities.

He also appealed to members of the public with credible information that could assist the investigation to report to the nearest police station or contact the command through its emergency lines.

Reaffirming the command’s commitment to protecting lives and property, the police commissioner assured residents that security agencies would continue working with relevant stakeholders to identify, arrest and prosecute those behind the attack.