Arrested suspects in Benue kidnap case were travellers, says MACBAN

In Benue State, Nigeria, the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has asserted that four Fulani men arrested in connection with a suspected kidnapping incident in Okpokwu Local Government Area were actually innocent travelers. Ardo Muhammad, the MACBAN chairman for Benue State, stated that the men were en route from Benue to Onitsha, Anambra State, to visit relatives when they were allegedly ambushed.

This claim contradicts initial reports from residents who stated that local youths foiled a kidnapping attempt and rescued five victims. While three suspects were reportedly handed over to the police the day after the incident, a fourth suspect escaped. The Chairman of the Okpokwu Local Government Area, Adah Inalegwu, confirmed the pursuit by local vigilantes and youths, which led the abductors to abandon their victims. However, Inalegwu noted that the suspects' involvement in kidnapping had not yet been confirmed by security agencies.

“

The four Fulani men arrested were travellers going from Benue State to Onitsha to visit their relatives. One of them managed to escape. The other three were severely beaten. One of them later died from injuries sustained during the attack, while the remaining two are currently receiving medical treatment.

MACBAN's statement detailed that one of the four men managed to escape the ambush, while the other three were severely beaten. Muhammad reported that one of the injured men later died from his wounds, and the remaining two are receiving medical treatment. He urged security agencies to swiftly apprehend the attackers to ensure justice and restore confidence in the area.

Muhammad strongly dismissed any links between the arrested men and kidnapping activities. He alleged that the men were attacked solely because they were Fulani and were traveling peacefully. MACBAN called for a thorough investigation into the attack and prosecution of the perpetrators, emphasizing that the incident highlights the need for enhanced security and protection for all communities within the state.

“

They are strangers in the community. It has not yet been confirmed whether they were kidnappers, but they have been handed over to the police.