Ardo Risku, chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, and his son, Ibrahim, have been killed while returning from a peace meeting in Otukpo LGA of the state.
According to Zagazola Makama, a security publication focused on the Lake Chad region, the victims were attacked near Ahimeni in the Okodu area after attending a meeting aimed at promoting peaceful coexistence among communities.
Sources alleged that the attack was carried out by suspected militia members.
The incident has heightened concerns over the persistent insecurity in parts of Benue, where recurring attacks have claimed lives and displaced residents.
Community members described the killings as tragic. Some stakeholders also cautioned against ethnic profiling, urging Nigerians not to hold entire communities responsible for the actions of criminal elements.
They said efforts to tackle insecurity should focus on identifying and prosecuting perpetrators rather than attributing crimes to ethnic or religious groups.
As of the time of filing this report, security agencies had yet to issue an official statement on the incident, while efforts were reportedly underway to apprehend those responsible.
Last year, the acting chairman of the Katsina State chapter of MACBAN was killed by gunmen.
The assailants also abducted the late MACBAN chairman’s two wives and daughter.
