Gunmen Kill Miyetti Allah Chairman, Associate After Peace Talks in Otukpo

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku Muhammad, has been killed alongside his associate, Yakubu Isah, in an attack by suspected gunmen in Otukpo Local Government Area, with the killings heightening tension in parts of Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Area. It was learnt that Muhammad had earlier on Friday participated in a peace meeting involving Fulani leaders and members of the Ayunne community, convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini Local Government Area as part of efforts to address security concerns following a recent crisis where several people were killed. The attack occurred at about 2:00 p.m. on Friday around the Okudu community in Otukpo LGA, with sources indicating that the MACBAN chairman and his companion were travelling home after the meeting when gunmen ambushed their vehicle and shot them dead.

Muhammad’s eldest son, Idris Muhammad, confirmed the incident during a telephone interview with journalists on Friday night, saying his father was ambushed and killed while returning from the peace meeting, and further disclosed that the family had recovered the bodies and taken them to Oyangede for burial. “They killed my father, the Ardo, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, after around 2pm while on their way from the peace meeting called by the DPO in Ohimini. We have recovered their bodies and took them to Oyangede for burial,” Idris said.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed the incident, describing the security situation in the area as tense following the attack and stating, “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,” while appealing to residents to remain calm and assuring them that security agencies were on top of the situation. Providing further details, the Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, said the deceased had attended the peace meeting organised by the Divisional Police Officer before the attack occurred, explaining that there had been 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,” Gabriel said.

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The Benue State Police Command also acknowledged the incident, with its spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, confirming that police had received reports of the killings and that an investigation had commenced. Edet assured the public that the command would work to identify those responsible for the attack and bring them to justice, while urging residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with investigators.

The national leadership of MACBAN has condemned the killing, describing it as a “dastardly and deeply disturbing act,” with its National President, Baba Othman-Ngelzarma, stating in a statement issued on Friday that the circumstances surrounding Muhammad’s death raised serious concerns about possible premeditation. MACBAN said it was particularly troubling that a community leader who attended a meeting aimed at promoting peace could become a victim shortly afterwards, and also expressed concern over reports that one of the deceased’s children, a lawyer, was allegedly attacked in a village about a week earlier. “The killing of community leaders and peace advocates threatens efforts towards reconciliation, dialogue and peaceful coexistence among communities. Those who seek to destabilise society through violence must not be allowed to succeed,” the statement added. The association commiserated with the family of the deceased, the leadership and members of MACBAN in Benue State, and pledged its continued commitment to promoting peace and collaboration with security agencies to address security challenges across the country.

Communities in Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini have witnessed repeated attacks in recent times, with authorities frequently attributing many of the incidents to suspected armed herders.

Gunmen Kill Miyetti Allah Chairman, Associate After Peace Talks in Otukpo

State police will revive political abuse of the 1960s, warns ex-CP Singham

Retired Commissioner of Police Muhammad Wakili, popularly known as CP Singham, has warned against the proposed establishment of state police, arguing that the move would revive the political abuses that led to the abolition of regional policing in Nigeria more than five decades ago.

Speaking during an interview on the ongoing debate over state police, Wakili said decentralising the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) would not address the country’s deep-rooted security challenges, insisting that the real solution lies in strengthening the existing federal police structure.

According to the former police commissioner, Nigeria previously operated a decentralised policing system under the Native Authority Police, but the arrangement was eventually scrapped during the 1972 constitutional reforms because it was widely abused by political leaders.

Drawing from his personal experience, Wakili disclosed that his father served under the former Native Authority Police, giving him first-hand knowledge of how the system operated and why it ultimately failed.

“We have tested that system before and we know the consequences. I see no reason to drag Nigeria back to the 1960s because the same problems that existed then are still with us today,” he said.

The retired police chief argued that the country’s worsening insecurity is not caused by the absence of state police, but by years of inadequate investment in the Nigeria Police Force.

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He described the NPF as one of the most capable police institutions globally, noting that Nigerian officers consistently distinguish themselves during international peacekeeping and foreign missions whenever they are provided with modern equipment, proper logistics and improved welfare.

According to him, the force remains grossly underfunded, understaffed and poorly equipped to effectively tackle terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and other violent crimes across the country.

He urged the Federal Government to prioritise the recruitment of more police personnel, provide modern operational equipment, improve police training, renovate dilapidated barracks and enhance officers’ welfare instead of creating another policing structure.

“The government should recruit more policemen, give them proper training and equipment, and then see if they won’t perform well,” Wakili said.

The retired commissioner also blamed selective enforcement of the law and lack of accountability within public institutions for weakening public confidence in law enforcement.

According to him, officers found guilty of misconduct should be punished in accordance with the law, regardless of their rank, to serve as a deterrent and strengthen discipline within the police.

On concerns over political interference, Wakili insisted that state police would inevitably become tools in the hands of state governors.

He argued that no legal safeguards would be sufficient to prevent governors from using state-controlled police formations to intimidate political opponents or influence elections.

“It is impossible to stop governors from abusing state police. It is better to stop the move entirely than to deceive ourselves,” he said.

The former commissioner observed that some governors already complain that Commissioners of Police fail to obey their directives, explaining that such disagreements usually arise because police officers refuse to carry out instructions that violate existing laws.

“If governors can use political thugs to achieve their objectives today, what stops them from using state police tomorrow?” he asked.

Wakili further questioned the argument that state police would significantly improve Nigeria’s fight against insecurity.

He noted that despite decades of experience, the Nigeria Police Force has continued to battle insurgency, terrorism and banditry alongside the military, wondering how newly created state police organisations would suddenly succeed where existing security institutions continue to face enormous challenges.

“If the federal police have not completely defeated Boko Haram and banditry, I don’t see how state police will suddenly solve the problem,” he said.

According to him, state police may only be useful in handling minor offences such as thuggery, prostitution and drug-related crimes, while serious national security threats would continue to require federal intervention and coordination.

The retired police chief, however, acknowledged that issues relating to recruitment, operational powers, firearms, prosecution, jurisdiction and collaboration between federal and state police would ultimately depend on the legal framework establishing the proposed policing system.

He stressed that such a far-reaching constitutional reform should only proceed after extensive consultations with security experts, legal practitioners, civil society organisations and the general public.

Wakili also maintained that justice, patriotism and good governance remain the most effective weapons against insecurity.

According to him, Nigeria’s security challenges cannot be solved solely through structural reforms but by ensuring fairness, accountability and responsible leadership at all levels of government.

He concluded that strengthening the existing Nigeria Police Force, improving officers’ welfare and enforcing the rule of law would deliver better results than establishing state police.

State police will revive political abuse of the 1960s, warns ex-CP Singham

DAILY TRUST