MACBAN Demands Investigation Into the Killing of Benue Chairman, Ardo Risku

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, or MACBAN, has denounced the murder of its chairman in Benue State, Ardo Risku, and urged law enforcement to carry out a comprehensive investigation and prosecute the perpetrators.

The group expressed “deep shock and sadness” upon learning of the event in a statement signed by Baba Othman Ngelzarma, its national president.

The Ohimini Local Government authorities invited Alhaji Ardo Risku to a security meeting to discuss peace and security issues in the region, according to sources that MACBAN’s national headquarters has access to.

According to the association, Risku and a buddy were intercepted near Okudu village approximately an hour after the meeting, where they were repeatedly shot and attacked.

The circumstances surrounding the death raise questions about potential premeditation, according to MACBAN, who called the incident “a dastardly and deeply disturbing act.”

According to the statement, “it is especially concerning that a community leader who attended a security meeting intended to promote peace and stability could allegedly become a victim shortly after.”

Concerns were also raised by the group regarding what it claimed was an earlier attack on a lawyer, one of the deceased’s children, who was allegedly attacked in a village last week.

It stated that the appropriate security agencies should conduct a thorough and open inquiry into the two instances.

MACBAN called on security services to look into the killing’s circumstances right away, find the perpetrators, and make sure they are prosecuted.

Attacks on community leaders and peace advocates, according to the group, jeopardise initiatives to advance peaceful cohabitation, communication, and healing between communities.

It also sent condolences to the deceased’s family, MACBAN members and leadership in Benue State, and all individuals impacted by the loss.

In order to solve security issues around the nation, MACBAN reiterated its dedication to nonviolent interaction and cooperation with governmental and security organisations.