Families of youths arrested over the killing of MACBAN Benue chairman Ardo Risku Mohammed say their children are innocent and were detained during a police raid in Otukpo.
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| Family members of youths arrested over the killing of MACBAN chairman Ardo Risku Mohammed appeal for their release in Benue State. |
OTUKPO, BENUE STATE – July 2, 2026
Families of several youths arrested in connection with the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Mohammed, have appealed to the Federal Government and security agencies to release their children, insisting they were wrongly arrested during a police operation in Otukpo.
The appeal follows the June 27 killing of Ardo Risku Mohammed and another victim, Yakubu Isah, shortly after attending a police-convened peace meeting in neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Area. The incident heightened tensions across parts of Benue State and prompted a police investigation that led to the arrest of multiple suspects.
Prime Brief Media previously reported on the killing of the MACBAN chairman and the subsequent police arrests as investigations into the attack intensified. Readers can find the earlier reports here:
Family of Slain Fulani Leader Demands Justice
Police Arrest 10 Over Murder of MACBAN Chairman
Tension Rises in Benue as Gunmen Kill MACBAN Chairman after Peace Meeting
According to the families, the suspects were among people rounded up by police officers during a raid at a food joint near the Total Filling Station in Otukpo, several kilometres from Okwudu community, where the MACBAN chairman was killed.
Speaking through activist Meddy Olotu, one mother said her 21-year-old son, Huseni, had returned from farm work and stopped to eat when police officers arrived and arrested everyone at the location.
She maintained that her son works as a farm labourer and had no involvement in the killing.
His father, Mr. Huseni Adama, also insisted the arrest had left the family devastated and appealed for his release.
Another family alleged that their son, Adakole John, was arrested during the same operation while eating at the food joint.
His father, who identified himself as a security guard at St. Jude, appealed to investigators to carry out a thorough and impartial investigation, arguing that only those directly connected to the crime should be prosecuted.
Similarly, the family of 18-year-old Owiocho, described as a photographer, said he was arrested after work during the police raid despite having no connection with the murder.
The families collectively urged the police to conclude investigations promptly and release anyone found not to be linked to the crime.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not publicly responded to the allegations made by the families or disclosed the outcome of its ongoing investigation.
The police have also not announced whether the arrested suspects have been formally charged before a competent court.
Prime Brief Media has not independently verified the claims made by the families regarding the circumstances of the arrests. Under Nigerian law, all suspects remain presumed innocent until proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.
The investigation into the killing of Ardo Risku Mohammed remains ongoing.
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