Police Arrest 10 Suspects Over Killing of Benue MACBAN Chairman

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force have arrested 10 suspects believed to be linked to the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Risku.

The arrests come days after the killing of the MACBAN chairman, which had sparked widespread condemnation and calls for justice from various stakeholders, including Benue State Governor, Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia, and the leadership of MACBAN.

According to police sources, the arrests followed a coordinated investigation and intelligence-driven operation that traced the suspects to their hideouts, where they were apprehended without resistance.

The police authorities said the suspects were currently being interrogated to ascertain their specific roles in the killing, identify any other accomplices, and uncover the motive behind the heinous act.

The Force noted that all necessary investigative procedures were being followed to ensure that the case is properly handled and that those found culpable face the full weight of the law.

The Benue State Police Command commended the cooperation of community members, security stakeholders, and local intelligence networks who provided useful information that aided the prompt arrest of the suspects.

The command also reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring justice for the slain MACBAN chairman and his family, while sustaining efforts to maintain peace and security across the state.

It reassured residents of Benue State that the police would continue to work closely with other security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, and community stakeholders to address the recurring security challenges in the state.

Governor Hyacinth Alia had earlier condemned the killing and directed security agencies to commence a thorough investigation to identify and apprehend those behind the act.

The governor described the killing as senseless and a serious threat to ongoing peace-building efforts between farming and herding communities in the state, vowing that the perpetrators would not go unpunished.

The MACBAN leadership had also called for a comprehensive investigation into the killing, demanding that the perpetrators be brought to justice and warning that failure to act could embolden further attacks on its members and other innocent citizens.

The association noted that Risku had played a significant role in promoting peaceful coexistence, dialogue, and reconciliation between herders and farmers in the state, describing his death as a major loss to ongoing peace efforts.

The arrest of the 10 suspects has been welcomed as a positive step in the quest for justice, with stakeholders calling for diligent prosecution to ensure that the case does not suffer unnecessary delays or undue interference.

Community leaders and other stakeholders have, however, called for sustained efforts to address the underlying causes of recurring violence in Benue State, including farmers-herders disputes, land conflicts, banditry, and other security challenges.

They urged the state and federal governments to strengthen security across vulnerable communities, support dialogue-driven initiatives, and invest in long-term solutions capable of fostering lasting peace among different groups.

Benue State has, in recent years, witnessed several incidents of violence linked to communal clashes, attacks on rural communities, and other security threats, prompting calls for decisive government action and proactive security measures.

The Nigeria Police Force has continued to assure citizens of its commitment to addressing the security situation across the country, including in volatile states such as Benue, through intelligence gathering, intensified patrols, and stronger inter-agency cooperation.

It also called on members of the public to continue to support the efforts of security agencies by providing useful information and refraining from acts capable of fuelling tensions or undermining ongoing peace-building initiatives.

The case is expected to be transferred to the appropriate prosecutorial authorities upon the conclusion of investigations, with the suspects facing trial for their alleged roles in the killing of the MACBAN chairman.

The development is expected to provide some relief to the family of the slain chairman, the MACBAN community, and other stakeholders who have been pushing for justice since the tragic incident occurred.