Assailants in Benue State’s Otukpo Local Government Area assassinated Ardo Muhammad, chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and Yakubu Isah, another man.
According to reports, tensions in Otukpo and the nearby Ohinmini Local Government Area have been raised following the attack that took place on Friday.
Rumour has it that the MACBAN chairman was in attendance at a peace meeting called by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohinmini Local Government region. The meeting was called to address recent security concerns in the region and included Fulani leaders and Ayunne community representatives.
The two men, Muhammad and his colleague, were reportedly killed when gunmen ambushed their vehicle as they were returning from the meeting in the Okudu community of the Otukpo Local Government Area.
While returning from the peace meeting, Muhammad was attacked and killed, according to his eldest son, who corroborated the occurrence in a telephone interview.
In addition to confirming the occurrence, Maxwell Ogiri, the chairman of the Otukpo Local Government Area, expressed his dismay at the new development.
The state head of MACBAN was indeed assassinated this afternoon within Otukpo LGA. Residents and visitors alike are on edge as a result of the murder, according to Ogiri.
He pleaded with the locals to keep their cool and assured them that the authorities were on the scene.
Adole Gabriel, chairman of the Ohinmini Local Government Area, confirmed the occurrence and added that the murdered MACBAN chairman had taken part in the peace conference to resolve outstanding security issues in the Ayunne village.
The DPO of Ohinmini called a peace meeting with the Fulani herders and the community after a recent conflict in the Ayunne community resulted in the deaths of several persons.
The individual departed after the meeting, but I was informed it had been productive. Gabriel lamented the news that their lives were tragically cut short when they learned that he and another person were ambushed by gunmen in the Okudu community in Otukpo LGA.
Officials from the Benue State Police Command have verified the occurrence, according to DSP Udeme Edet, who stated that they had received a report and were now investigating.