There is palpable fear in parts of Otukpo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State following allegations by the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) that local youths launched attacks that led to the killing of a herder and the slaughter of livestock.

State chairman of MACBAN, Ardo Risku Muhammad, told newsmen in Makurdi that violence erupted four days ago when youths from Otukpo-Nobi allegedly invaded a Fulani settlement and killed 15 cows belonging to one Alhaji Hassan Sule.

He said the herder returned to the area the next day with his young son to assess the destruction but was ambushed and murdered along the Ondo-Ogobia axis.

Muhammad alleged that while other herders responded to the scene after the victim’s son raised an alarm, two men suspected to be linked to Sule’s killing approached the spot, possibly to remove the corpse, but fled on sighting the herders, abandoning a motorcycle and a locally made gun.

He claimed that one of the suspects was apprehended and handed over to security operatives, but was later released by the police—a development he said had further inflamed tensions.

The MACBAN chairman urged the state Governor, Rev Fr Hyacinth Alia, and the Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, to intervene urgently, warning that the situation could escalate if not addressed.

Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, confirmed that the killing of the herder had sparked tension but said he was unaware of the reported slaughter of 15 cows.

Ogiri noted that the council, security agencies, and the Och’Idoma were working to de-escalate the situation.

However, the Police Command dismissed claims of an arrested suspect.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said investigations began after a report that Hassan Suleiman, also known as Alhaji Foda, was killed by unknown armed men in Ogobia.

She stated that a joint team comprising the police, Civil Protection Guard, the military, and community members recovered the body and a motorcycle at the scene but found no suspects.

Edet said some mourners who accompanied the team attempted to identify supposed attackers based on emotions and suspicion, prompting the police to caution them against unverified claims.

She added that the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, had transferred the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department for a thorough and impartial probe.

The PPRO urged the public to disregard misleading narratives that could jeopardise ongoing investigations or breach public peace. (The Sun)