Killing of MACBAN Chairman: ‘It Would Have Been Better to Kill the President, NSA’ — Fulani Man Threatens Benue Residents

Killing of MACBAN Chairman: ‘It Would Have Been Better to Kill the President, NSA’ — Fulani Man Threatens Benue Residents

The killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, has taken a new twist following the emergence of a viral video in which an unidentified man issued strong warnings over the incident, prompting fresh concerns about security and possible reprisals.

The unidentified speaker, believed to be of Fulani extraction, condemned the killing of the MACBAN leader and his associate, Yakubu Isa, describing the late Ardo Risku as a key figure who promoted peace between herders and farming communities across the state.

The video surfaced days after Ardo Risku and Isa were ambushed and killed while returning from a peace and security meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to reports, the meeting was convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) as part of ongoing efforts to address recurring security challenges and improve relations between local farming communities and Fulani herders.

Security sources said the victims were attacked by unidentified gunmen around Okudu community in Otukpo Local Government Area shortly after leaving the meeting.

The attack has drawn widespread condemnation from community leaders, security stakeholders and the national leadership of MACBAN, who described the killing as a setback to ongoing peace-building efforts in the state.

In the viral video circulating on social media, the unidentified speaker expressed outrage over the killing and issued remarks that have generated widespread reactions.

“Benue people will regret this. Killing this man (Ardo) is like killing our own President. It would have been better to kill the President and the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, than to kill this man,” he said.

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The man further claimed that the late Ardo Risku had prevented several violent clashes and worked tirelessly to promote peaceful coexistence between herders and host communities.

“This man was a peace lover. He stopped many crises in Benue. Killing him is the greatest mistake Benue people have made. You people of Benue will regret this,” he added.

The authenticity of the video has not been independently verified, and the identity of the speaker remains unknown as of the time of filing this report.

Neither the Nigeria Police Force nor other security agencies has issued an official statement specifically addressing the video or the threats contained in it.

However, the footage has generated widespread concern online, with many Nigerians urging security agencies to identify the speaker, investigate the comments and take appropriate legal action if any laws have been violated.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command has intensified investigations into the killing of Ardo Risku Mohammed and Yakubu Isa.

Police authorities have deployed tactical and intelligence teams to track down those responsible for the attack, assuring residents that everyone connected with the killings will be brought to justice.

In what investigators described as a major breakthrough, security operatives have arrested 10 suspects in connection with the killings. The arrests followed intelligence-led operations in parts of Otukpo Local Government Area, while investigations continue to determine the level of involvement of each suspect and identify any other persons linked to the attack.

The national leadership of MACBAN has condemned the killings, noting that Ardo Risku was attacked shortly after participating in a peace meeting aimed at strengthening dialogue between herders and farming communities.

The association called on security agencies to conduct a thorough and transparent investigation and ensure those responsible are prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Community leaders in Ohimini and Otukpo local government areas have also appealed for calm, urging residents to avoid reprisals and allow security agencies to complete their investigations.

The latest development comes amid persistent security concerns in Benue State, where repeated attacks, communal tensions and farmer-herder conflicts have continued to threaten lives, livelihoods and peace across several communities.

As authorities continue investigations into both the killings and the viral video, residents have been urged to remain law-abiding, avoid inflammatory statements and cooperate with security agencies to prevent any further escalation of violence.

The incident has once again highlighted the fragile security situation in parts of Benue and the urgent need for sustained peace-building initiatives, effective law enforcement and justice for victims of violence.

Killing of MACBAN Chairman: ‘It Would Have Been Better to Kill the President, NSA’ — Fulani Man Threatens Benue Residents