TDThe Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku, and his associate, Yakubu Isa, were gruesomely killed in an ambush on Friday, June 26, 2026.
They were killed shortly after attending a peace and security meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area.
The attack has sparked outrage, with the federal government, Benue State authorities, and MACBAN demanding swift justice.
Police have already arrested 10 suspects linked to the killings.
Key Details of the Incident
- Date & Location: June 26, 2026, at Okudu village, Otukpo LGA, Benue State.
- Victims: Alhaji Ardo Risku (MACBAN Chairman, Benue State) and Yakubu Isa (associate).
- Circumstances: Both men had just attended a peace and security meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer in Ohimini LGA.
They were ambushed by armed assailants while returning home.
- Immediate Aftermath: Their bodies were recovered and buried in Oyangede.
The incident heightened fears of reprisals and renewed insecurity in the region.
Reactions
- Federal Government: SGF Senator George Akume condemned the killings as “reprehensible and unacceptable”.
Describing them as a direct assault on peace efforts, he urged security agencies to ensure perpetrators face justice.
- Benue State Government: Governor Hyacinth Alia expressed shock, calling the incident a setback to ongoing reconciliation efforts.
He ordered a thorough investigation and appealed for calm among residents.
- MACBAN: The association’s National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, described the killings as “deeply disturbing”.
Ngelzarma raised concerns about possible premeditation, noting that Risku was targeted shortly after a peace meeting.
Security Response
- Police Action: The Benue State Police Command confirmed the ambush and launched investigations.
On June 27, 2026, tactical teams arrested 10 suspects during coordinated raids in Otukpo LGA.
- Suspects Identified: Names include Titus Thyodenda (25), Utibe Sam (20), Owoicho Ameh (18), Sunday Useni (21), Sunday Ogbanje (46), Daniel Raphael (23), Adokole John (24), Samuel Ogazi (32), Agbo Daniel (25), and Onazi James (30).
- Police Assurance: CP Cletus Nwadiogbu pledged that all culprits will be prosecuted, urging residents to remain calm and support investigations.
Broader Implications
- Peace Efforts at Risk: The killing of a community leader immediately after a peace meeting raises fears of deliberate attempts to destabilize reconciliation initiatives in Benue.
- Potential Escalation: Local leaders have appealed for calm to prevent reprisals and further violence.
- National Concern: The incident underscores the fragility of peace in Benue, a state long plagued by farmer-herder conflicts.
The killing of Alhaji Ardo Risku represents a major blow to peace-building efforts in Benue State.
With suspects already in custody, the focus now shifts to ensuring a transparent investigation and prosecution.
Authorities at both state and federal levels stress that justice must be served to prevent further destabilization.
