Don’t retaliate over Ardo Risku’s death – Otukpo LG Chairman urges Fulani to remain calm

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State, Hon. Maxwell Ogiri, has appealed to members of the Fulani community to remain calm and refrain from taking the law into their own hands following the killing of the Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed.

Ogiri made the appeal when he led a delegation of Idoma stakeholders on a condolence visit to the residence of the late Fulani leader at Onyagede, Otukpo Local Government Area.

The delegation included the Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Hon. Adole Sunday, Dr. Dickson Ako and activist Meddy Olotu, among other community leaders.

Addressing members of the bereaved family and the Fulani community, the Otukpo council chairman described the killing as unfortunate and urged them to allow security agencies to investigate the incident and ensure those responsible are brought to justice.

“The evil has already been done. We pray that the good Lord will ensure that this evil does not go in vain,” Ogiri said.

“It is my appeal to the leadership and members of the Fulani community to exercise restraint and encourage their children to remain calm. The security agencies are already handling the matter, and we all need peace.”

He stressed that the Idoma people had always maintained peaceful relations with other ethnic groups living in the area and urged the Fulani community not to allow the actions of criminal elements to destroy the existing harmony.

“The Fulani community is here in Idoma land not because of war or conflict. I want our Fulani brothers and sisters to understand that the Idoma people are peace-loving and have always accommodated strangers living among them,” he stated.

Ogiri noted that every society has criminal elements and cautioned against generalising the actions of a few individuals.

“The recent crisis between the Fulani and the Idoma did not exist from the beginning. However, every society has bad elements. Such individuals do not care about the good name of their people or the consequences of their actions on society.

“We have bad elements among the Fulani, just as we have them among the Idoma. Their actions should not be used to judge entire communities.”

The council chairman further conveyed his condolences to the bereaved family, praying for God’s comfort and strength during their period of mourning.

Responding on behalf of the family, the deceased’s eldest son, Muhammad Idris, appreciated the delegation for the visit and condolences but insisted that the family wanted justice for the late Fulani leader.

He called on security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those responsible for the killing were arrested and prosecuted.