Benue Police Arrest 7 More Suspects Over Killing Of MACBAN Chairman

The Benue State Police Command has arrested seven more suspects, including an 80-year-old man, over the killing of the state chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed.

The latest arrests bring the total number of suspects in custody to 17 following the June 26 killing of the MACBAN leader and his associate, Yakubu Isah.

Ardo Risku and Isah were ambushed and shot dead at Okudu in Otukpo Local Government Area while returning from a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area.

The Command had on June 27 announced the arrest of 10 suspects linked to the attack, assuring that investigations would continue until all those involved were apprehended.

Confirming the fresh arrests in a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, said the breakthrough was achieved through sustained intelligence gathering, painstaking investigations and continuous tactical operations by the command.

According to the statement, the newly arrested suspects are Sylvester Ajonye, 80, Chief Morgan Ejaga, 43, Chief Moses Anteyi, 45, Chief John Ogli, 58, Chief Yawuhu Adaji, 49, Aba Alexander Uloko, 59, and Fidelis Iduma, 45.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the investigating and tactical teams for their professionalism and persistence, describing the arrests as a testament to the command’s commitment to bringing all those responsible for the killings to justice.

He said investigations were still ongoing and warned that anyone found culpable would be identified, arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

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 that could assist the ongoing investigation.

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