The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Muhammad, alongside his companion, Yakubu Isah, have been killed in a violent ambush by unidentified gunmen in the Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

The tragic incident occurred shortly after Muhammad had attended a crucial peace dialogue in the neighbouring Ohimmini Local Government Area. The peace meeting, which had been formally convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ohimmini, brought together Fulani herders and leaders of the Ayunne community to defuse ethnic tensions stemming from previous communal clashes and killings in the area.

While the peace talks were reported to be highly productive and successful, tragedy struck during the journey back. Armed assailants laid an ambush at a village within the Otukpo local government border, opening fire on the chairman’s vehicle and killing both occupants on the spot. One of Muhammad’s sons later confirmed the targeted assassination to journalists via a telephone interview.

The brutal killing has triggered palpable tension across Otukpo, Ohimmini, and surrounding rural communities, raising fears of retaliatory violence. Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, described the situation as highly volatile but urged residents to remain completely calm, assuring the public that tactical security teams have deployed heavily to stabilize the general area and track down the perpetrators.