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.

As Niger State continues to find ways to curb insecurity linked to drug abuse bedevilling it, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) Niger Command says it has seized a total of 10,127.84 kilograms of various illicit drugs from January 2025 to date.

Commander Shehu Gwadabawa, who disclosed this during the climax of activities marking the United Nations International Day Against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking also revealed that 189 suspected drug dealers were arrested, out of which 173 have been convicted and are serving their jail terms.

Niger State, which borders the Benin Republic and states like Kogi, Kwara, Kaduna, FCT, Kebbi and Zamfara, makes it a hotbed for terrorism and other illicit crimes, including drug abuse and trafficking.

The NDLEA, saddled with the responsibility to tackle the menace, says that in Niger State, they have been making efforts to cut drug demand reduction alongside drug supply reduction.

The Agency also stated that it has adopted strategies such as the use of technology, policy reforms, counselling, and rehabilitation.

Other stakeholders, including Niger State Governor Umar Bago and the Emir of Minna, Umar-Faruq Bahago, urged youths, especially, to shun drug abuse.

This year’s theme, “World Drug Problem: Persisting Issues, New Challenges, Innovative Responses, ” aims to reawaken the people to the fact that drug challenges are global in nature.

The The Nigeria Police Force has successfully rescued five kidnap victims less than 24 hours after their abduction along the Benin-Ore-Sagamu Expressway.

The victims were kidnapped on Thursday while traveling from Benin City to Ibadan and Lagos. According to accounts from the victims, passengers in three Toyota Sienna buses were ambushed at Ogbere and forcibly taken into a nearby forest along the expressway.

A joint task force comprising operatives from the Ogun and Lagos State Police Commands responded swiftly and engaged the kidnappers in a gun duel on Friday, leading to the successful rescue of all five victims.

The operation highlights the growing effectiveness of coordinated security efforts along the busy expressway corridor, which has seen repeated incidents of kidnapping in recent times.

Further details on the identities of the victims and the status of the kidnappers are expected to be released by the police authorities soon.