The Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, has demanded the prosecution of those responsible for the gruesome killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate, Yakubu Isah. The two men were ambushed and killed along Okwudu-Okpachenyi road in Otukpo Local Government Area on Friday, hours after attending a peace and security meeting in Ohimini LGA. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the arrest of 10 suspects on Sunday following an intelligence-led operation.

The Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume, has expressed profound shock and outrage over the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, and his associate Yakubu Isah, insisting that the perpetrators must be brought to justice.

In a statement issued on Sunday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Yomi Odunuga, and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the SGF described the attack as "reprehensible, unacceptable and a direct assault on the peace, reconciliation and mutual trust that communities across Benue State have worked painstakingly to rebuild."

Alhaji Ardo Risku and his associate were reportedly killed by unknown assailants while returning from a peace meeting in Otukpo, Benue State. The incident occurred near Ahimeni in the Okodu area as the victims were travelling home after participating in a meeting aimed at fostering peaceful coexistence among communities. 

According to MACBAN's national headquarters, Risku and his associate were intercepted near Okudu village approximately an hour after the meeting, where they were repeatedly shot and attacked. The circumstances surrounding the death raise questions about potential premeditation, with MACBAN describing the incident as "a dastardly and deeply disturbing act." 

The Police in Benue State have arrested 10 suspects in connection with the killing. The arrests followed a coordinated intelligence-led operation by the Command's tactical teams in Otukpo LGA, conducted on Saturday night. Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed the development in a statement issued on Sunday in Makurdi.

The Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus C.N. Nwadiogbu, confirmed that tactical and intelligence assets have been deployed, and the Command said it will not leave any stone unturned to ensure that the culprits are arrested and prosecuted.

Akume, who served as Benue's third executive governor, drew a direct parallel to the Yelwata killings — noting that suspects in that case were apprehended and are currently standing trial — and insisted the same resolve must apply here.

The SGF called on the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and other relevant security agencies to carry out a "thorough, transparent and painstaking investigation," warning that "those who believe they can undermine peace through violence and murder must understand that there will be no hiding place for them."

He urged communities across Benue to reject reprisals and avoid taking the law into their own hands, stressing that lasting peace is the foundation for investment, agricultural growth, job creation, and prosperity.

Benue State Governor Rev. Fr. Hyacinth Alia also expressed deep shock over the killing, stating that the heinous act came at a particularly sensitive time when the state was witnessing a significant return to peace and stability across various local government areas. He described the killing of any community leader or peace advocate as a blow to ongoing dialogue between stakeholders.

The governor pledged that "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." 

MACBAN's national president, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, signed a statement expressing "deep shock and sadness" and urging law enforcement to carry out a comprehensive investigation and prosecute the perpetrators. The association also sent condolences to the deceased's family, MACBAN members, and all those affected.

The SGF reiterated President Bola Tinubu's commitment to confronting insecurity, noting that the President has continued to provide security and intelligence agencies with the necessary support, resources, and strategic direction to tackle criminality across the country.

Akume urged all residents of Benue State to remain calm, cooperate with security agencies, and provide any credible information that may aid ongoing investigations.