Police arrest four chiefs, others over MACBAN chairman’s death in Benue

By Peter Duru

The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven additional suspects, including four traditional chiefs and an 80-year-old man, over the gruesome murder of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State chapter, Ardo Risku Mohammad, and one Yakubu Isa in Otukpo Local Government Area, LGA, of the state.

Ardo Mohammad and Yakubu Isa were killed in an ambush by armed men on June 26, 2026, around Okudu community while returning from a peace meeting held in neighbouring Ohimini LGA.

The latest arrests were disclosed in a statement issued weekend in Makurdi by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Mr. Cletus Nwadiogbu.

According to the statement, the fresh breakthrough followed sustained intelligence gathering, painstaking investigation and continuous tactical operations by police operatives investigating the high-profile killings.

The police identified the newly arrested suspects as Chief Morgan Ejaga, 43; Chief Moses Anteyi, 45; Chief John Ogli, 58; Chief Yawuhu Adaji, 49; Sylvester Ajonye, 80; Aba Alexander Uloko, 59; and Fidelis Iduma, 45.

The statement read: “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.”

Commending the officers handling the case, Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu praised the commitment and professionalism of the investigating and tactical teams, noting that their sustained efforts had continued to produce positive results.

The Police Commissioner assured residents that the investigation remained active and that all those found to have played any role in the killings would face justice.

“Every person found to have participated directly or indirectly in the commission of the crime will be identified, apprehended and prosecuted in accordance with the law,” he said.

Nwadiogbu also appealed to members of the public to remain calm and continue supporting the police and other security agencies with credible and timely information, stressing that the Benue State Police Command remained committed to ensuring justice for the victims and maintaining peace, law and order across the state.