The victims were reportedly returning from a peace meeting held on Friday when they came under attack. The meeting was said to have been convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini Local Government Area and attended by leaders of the Ayunne community alongside representatives of Fulani herders.
According to information gathered, Ardo Muhammad and his companion were travelling back after the meeting when gunmen ambushed their vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo Local Government Area, killing both men on the spot.
The deceased’s eldest son confirmed the incident during a telephone interview with journalists late on Friday, saying his father was ambushed and killed while returning from the peace meeting.
The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, also confirmed the attack, saying the incident had created anxiety among residents of the affected community and surrounding areas.
He said, “It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon. The killing has raised tension in the community and environs.”
Ogiri appealed to residents to remain calm, assuring them that security agencies were responding to the situation.
The Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, said the slain MACBAN leader had participated in the peace meeting organised by the area’s Divisional Police Officer following previous violence in Ayunne community.
He said, “You know there was a crisis in Ayunne community where some people were killed some time ago, and the DPO of Ohinmini convened a peace meeting with the Fulani herders and the community.
“I was told that the meeting was fruitful and, at the end of the meeting, the man (MACBAN chairman) left. Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him with one other person.”
The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that the command had received reports of the incident, adding that an investigation had commenced.
Several communities in Otukpo and neighbouring Ohinmini local government areas have witnessed repeated attacks in recent times, with suspected armed herders frequently blamed for the violence.