Gunmen kill Benue Miyetti Allah chairman, one other

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Muhammad, and Yakubu Isah were killed by gunmen in Otukpo Local Government Area. The attack has created palpable tension in Otukpo and the adjacent Ohinmini Local Government Area.

Sources indicate that Muhammad and Isah were ambushed by gunmen while traveling back from a peace meeting. The meeting, allegedly convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini, involved leaders from the Ayunne community in Ohinmini Local Government Area. The MACBAN chairman's eldest son confirmed the ambush and his father's death.

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It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon. The killing has raised tension in the community and environs.

Maxwell Ogiri, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, confirmed the incident and stated that security operatives are actively addressing the situation. Adole Gabriel, Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, corroborated that the meeting focused on resolving a past crisis in the Ayunne community. The Benue State Police Command has confirmed receiving the report and initiated an investigation.

This incident occurs in a region that has experienced frequent attacks attributed to suspected armed herders in Otukpo and Ohinmini Local Government Areas.

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You know there was a crisis in Ayunne community where some people were killed some time ago, and the DPO of Ohinmini convened a peace meeting with the Fulani herders and the community. I was told that the meeting was fruitful and, at the end of the meeting, the man (MACBAN chairman) left. Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him with one other person.