Benue Miyetti Allah chair ambushed, killed after police meeting, son says
The Benue State Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, was ambushed and killed on Friday alongside his associate, Yakubu Isah, shortly after attending a police peace meeting in Ohimini LGA.
His son, Muhammad Idris, told Daily Trust that his father was invited by the DPO of Ohimini LGA to Idekpa for dialogue over herder-farmer tensions. He rode on a motorcycle with Isah due to bad roads, while two other Fulani leaders went ahead on separate bikes.
According to the son, at the station, Muhammad was surprised to meet only the DPO and elders from Awule and Alulu communities. The Ohimini LGA chairman and traditional ruler, whom the DPO earlier said would attend, were absent.
He said the DPO raised complaints of cattle destroying farms. Muhammad asked that a date be fixed to assess damage with the herders involved.
After the meeting, Muhammad and Isah left last. Alhaji Muazu, who left earlier, said he saw a tinted Hilux van observing them. Minutes later, Muhammad and Isah were ambushed and shot dead around 2:00 p.m. at Okwudu in Otukpo LGA, 2-3km from Ohimini.
The family questioned why key stakeholders were absent and demanded a transparent probe into the “high-risk meeting” held without adequate security.
Ohimini LGA Chairman Gabriel Adole said he was out of state and denied involvement, calling it “an orchestrated criminal act.”
He said the meeting followed Awule community complaints about blocked farmlands.
Benue Police said 10 suspects are already in custody: Titus Thyodenda, Utibe Sam, Owoicho Ameh, Sunday Useni, Sunday Ogbanje, Daniel Raphael, Adokole John, Samuel Ogazi, Agbo Daniel and Onazi James.
