The Benue State Police Command has declared that it arrested 10 suspects in connection with the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku Mohammed, and one Yakubu Isa.

The MACBAN chairman and Yakubu Isa were reportedly ambushed and killed at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA on Friday, June 26, 2026 by armed men, while returning from a peace meeting called by the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, in the Idekpa, Ohimini LGA.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed the arrest, emphasing that the arrests marked significant progress in the investigation into the attack.

The suspects were apprehended on the night of June 27, 2026, during a coordinated operation by the Command’s tactical teams in Otukpo Local Government Area, following what police described as intensive intelligence gathering and tactical operations.

According to him, the suspects arrested were 25-year-old Titus Thyodenda, 20-year-old Utibe Sam, 18-year-old Owoicho Ameh, 21-year-old Sunday Useni, 46-year-old Sunday Useni, 46-year-old Sunday Ogbanje, 23-year-old Daniel Raphael, 24-year-old Adokole John, 32-year-old Samuel Ogazi, 25-year-old Agbo Daniel, and 30-year-old Onazi James.

……Recover Arms and Ammunition

Troops of Operation Whirl Stroke, in collaboration with operatives of the Benue State Civil Protection Guard, on Sunday, 28 June 2026, neutralised two suspects and recovered their weapons at Tor Donga Yam Market in Benue State

A statement by the Acting Media Information Officer
HQ JTF Operation Whirl Stroke Lieutenant Ahmad Zubairu said the team received a distress call from the area.

He said on arrival, the troops made contact with the terrorists and engaged them decisively.

He named the two terrorists,as Dantaraba and Golozo who were neutralised.

Following the operation, troops recovered one AK-47 rifle, one AK-47 magazine, one damaged pistol, one pistol magazine, six rounds of 7.62 mm NATO ammunition, nine rounds of 9 mm pistol ammunition, one ATM card, one Moniepoint ATM card amongst other sundry items.

The successful operation ensured the continued safety of traders and residents, allowing socio-economic activities at Tor Donga Yam Market to proceed without disruption or fear of terrorist attacks.

The Force Commander, Joint Task Force Operation WHIRL STROKE, Major General Moses Gara, commended the troops for their professionalism, resilience and swift response, which prevented what could have resulted in significant civilian casualties and disruption of commercial activities. The cooperation of the Civil Protection Guards was also commended in ridding Benue State of criminality.

Major General Gara also expressed appreciation to members of the public for promptly providing credible information. He urged residents to sustain the cooperation with security agencies, stressing that security remains a collective responsibility.

Governor Hyacinth Alia of Benue State has expressed deep shock and sadness over the killing of Alhaji Ardo Risku, the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), and his friend.

In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Tersoo Kula, the Governor described the incident as a heinous act that occurred at a critical time when the state is making significant progress toward peace and stability across various local government areas.

Governor Alia views the killing not merely as a personal tragedy but as a deliberate attempt to undermine the hard-earned peace and ongoing reconciliation efforts his administration has been fostering.

“It is deeply regrettable that this unfortunate incident occurred shortly after a security meeting,” the Governor noted. He emphasized that the murder of any community leader or peace advocate represents a serious setback to the dialogue between various stakeholders in the state.

In response, Governor Alia issued firm directives to all relevant security agencies:

1. To immediately launch a thorough and transparent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the killing.
2. To leave no stone unturned in identifying and apprehending the perpetrators, bringing them to justice swiftly to deter others seeking to destabilize the state.
3. To enhance security measures to better protect community leaders involved in security and peace-building initiatives.

The Governor urged members of MACBAN and the general public to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against allowing agents of chaos to incite further violence.

“We must not allow those who profit from chaos to succeed in inciting further violence or disrupting the peace we have taken time to build,” Alia said.

He extended his heartfelt condolences to the family of Alhaji Ardo Risku and the entire MACBAN community.

“Our administration remains resolute: Benue is a home for peace, and we will not allow the shadows of the past to eclipse the bright future we are currently building,” the statement concluded.