Gunmen were reported to have killed the Benue State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ardo Risku Muhammad, and one other, identified as Yakubu Isah.
The killing of the MACBAN state chairman has raised tension in some communities in the state.
According to the son who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi Friday night, his father had attended a peace meeting allegedly convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini with leaders of the Ayunne community in the Ohinmini Local Government Area of the state on Friday.
He explained that after the meeting, his father and his colleague were travelling back when some gunmen ambushed him at an Okuku village in Otukpo LGA and killed him along with the other occupant of the vehicle.
His eldest son,, who disclosed the incident to newsmen in a telephone chat late on Friday, said that the father was ambushed and killed.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, said that there is palpable tension in the community where the incident happened and other neighbouring communities in the LG.
He said, “It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon; the killing has raised tension in the community and environs.”
Ogiri, who called on residents of the local government to remain calm, said that security operatives were on top of the situation.
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Also speaking on the incident, the chairman of Ohinmini LGA, Adole Gabriel, stated that the MACBAN state chairman had attended a peace meeting convened by the divisional police officer of the local government on Friday.
“You know, there was a crisis at the 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 the meeting, the man (MACBAN chairman) left. Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle in the Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him and one other person.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the state command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she has received the report and promised to release a statement to the effect soon.
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