Mixed reactions trail arrest of 10 over Ardo Risku’s death in Benue

The arrest of 10 suspects over the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, has continued to generate widespread reactions across Benue State, with many residents questioning what they describe as the disparity in the police response to violent crimes in the state.

The Benue State Police Command announced on Sunday that 10 suspects had been arrested in connection with the killing of Ardo Risku Mohammed and his associate, Yakubu Isa.

Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the arrests followed “intensive intelligence gathering and coordinated tactical operations” carried out in Otukpo on the night of June 27.

Those arrested were identified as Titus Thyodenda (25), Utibe Sam (20), Owoicho Ameh (18), Sunday Useni (21), Sunday Ogbanje (46), Daniel Raphael (23), Adokole John (24), Samuel Ogazi (32), Agbo Daniel (25) and Onazi James (30).

Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the tactical teams for what he described as their professionalism.

“The Command remains committed to ensuring that everyone found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the commissioner said, adding that investigations were still ongoing to identify and arrest other persons connected with the attack.

He appealed to residents to remain calm and cooperate with investigators by providing credible information.

Residents question police action

However, shortly after the announcement, reactions flooded social media and communities across Benue, with many residents arguing that the swift arrest of 10 suspects contrasts with the handling of previous attacks in which hundreds of Benue residents were killed by suspected armed herders.

Some residents questioned why no comparable arrests had been publicly announced after repeated attacks on communities in Guma, Logo, Agatu, Apa, Otukpo, Ukum, Katsina-Ala, Kwande and other parts of the state.

Many argued that while they support a thorough investigation into Ardo Risku’s killing, justice should be applied equally regardless of the identity of the victims or suspects.

Moro faults security response

Joining the growing reactions, Senate Minority Leader and Senator representing Benue South, Senator Abba Moro, condemned the killing, describing it as “barbaric and unacceptable.”

According to Moro: “All lives matter, and nobody has the moral and constitutional right to take the life of an innocent and armless person.”

The senator urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation capable of identifying the real perpetrators.

While commending Governor Hyacinth Alia for condemning the incident, Moro said the tragedy could have been avoided.

“If the governor had been proactively living up to his constitutional responsibility of protecting the lives and property of Benue people, this avoidable killing would have been averted,” he said.

“Our father was lured to his death”

Meanwhile, the family of the slain MACBAN chairman has raised questions over the circumstances surrounding his death.

Speaking on behalf of the family, Muhammad Idris, the deceased’s eldest son, alleged that his father was killed after honouring a police invitation for a peace meeting in Ohimini Local Government Area.

“On Friday morning, I greeted my late father, who informed me that he had been invited to a meeting by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohimini Local Government Area,” Idris said.

According to him, Ardo Risku travelled to Idekpa on a motorcycle because of the poor condition of the road.

He claimed that after the meeting, his father and Yakubu Isa stayed behind to continue discussions with the Divisional Police Officer while other Fulani leaders departed.

Idris further alleged that another Fulani leader later noticed a Hilux vehicle with tinted windows along the route before his father and Yakubu were ambushed and killed.

“We strongly believe that the said Hilux van was positioned to target my father and Mr. Yakubu Isah,” he alleged.

The family called for a transparent investigation and demanded explanations over what it described as inadequate security arrangements for the peace meeting.

“It was an orchestrated criminal act”

Responding to the allegations, Chairman of Ohimini Local Government Area, Gabriel Adole, dismissed suggestions that the killing was linked to the people of Ohimini.

He explained that the meeting followed complaints by farmers over alleged destruction of crops by cattle and that he had advised the parties to report the matter to the police.

Adole acknowledged that neither he nor traditional rulers attended the meeting because he was outside the state.

Describing Ardo Risku as a respected leader who enjoyed cordial relations with the people of Ohimini, he said:

“This plan is an orchestrated one. It was not done by my local government or any Idoma-speaking person.”

He appealed to the Fulani community to remain calm and allow security agencies to conclude their investigation.

“Criminals must be exposed”

Agatu Local Government Chairman, James Melvin Ejeh, also condemned the killing, describing Ardo Risku as a peace-loving leader who worked tirelessly to promote harmony between herders and farming communities.

Ejeh insisted the attack should not be attributed to the Idoma people.

“This is not a calculated action by the Idoma-speaking people of Zone C. It was an action carried out by criminal elements who are enemies of peace.”

He urged security agencies to go beyond promises.

“We are tired of hearing that culprits will be brought to book. We want those responsible arrested, prosecuted and paraded before the public.”

The Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Internal Security, Chief Joseph Har, also described the killing as unfortunate, noting that it occurred after several months of relative peace in the state.

Har appealed to the family and Fulani community not to embark on reprisals, assuring them that security agencies were working to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attack.