Benue: Police arrest 80-year-old man, four chiefs over MACBAN chairman’s killing

Policemen in Benue State have arrested an 80-year-old man, identified as Sylvester Ajonye, four traditional chiefs and two other suspects in connection with the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in the state, Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed.

The chiefs arrested are Chief Morgan Ejaga, 43; Chief Moses Anteyi, 45; Chief John Ogli, 58; and Chief Yawuhu Adaji, 49. Also arrested are Aba Alexander Uloko, 59, and Fidelis Iduma, 45.

This was contained in a statement issued on Saturday by the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet.

According to the statement, “The Benue State Police Command has arrested an additional seven suspects in connection with the killing of the State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and Yakubu Isah.

“Following sustained intelligence gathering, painstaking investigation and continuous tactical operations, an additional seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.

“The arrests were made during intelligence-led operations by operatives of the Command in continuation of the investigation.”

Edet said the Commissioner of Police in the state, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the commitment and professionalism of the investigating and tactical teams, whose sustained efforts have continued to yield positive results.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) said the Commissioner of Police assured residents that the investigation was ongoing, adding that every person found to have participated directly or indirectly in the crime would be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The Commissioner of Police appealed to members of the public to remain calm and continue supporting the Police and other security agencies with credible and timely information to aid the investigation.

CP Nwadiogbu reiterated the Command’s commitment to ensuring justice for the victims and maintaining peace, law and order across the state.

It will be recalled that the State MACBAN Chairman was killed on 26 June after attending a peace meeting in Ohinmini Local Government Area of the state.

Risku Mohammed and his friend, Yakubu Isah, were killed around Okukwu in Otukpo Local Government Area while returning home from the peace meeting.

Three days later, the Command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, announced the arrest of 10 suspects in connection with the killing of the MACBAN State Chairman.