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The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Benue State Chapter, has expressed grave concern and outright condemnation over the persistent attacks, killings, and large-scale cattle rustling currently ravaging Benue South Senatorial District of the state.
In a statement signed by its Secretary, Ibrahim Galma, and issued to newsmen on Thursday in Makurdi, MACBAN declared that the situation in Zone C has transcended a farmer-herder conflict and become pure criminality.
The association said, “What we are witnessing is pure criminality orchestrated by criminal elements who are exploiting the fragile security situation to perpetrate murder, theft, arson, and forceful displacement of innocent citizens.”
The association lamented that persistent attacks across communities in Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas (LGAs) have resulted in the loss of lives, destruction of settlements, cattle rustling, and the displacement of Fulani families.
It cited the assassination of MACBAN leader, Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his associate, Yakubu Isah, on 26 June 2026; attacks on Otukpo-Nobi Village and Ogobia, Ondo-Ogobia, in Otukpo LGA; and an attack in Efeyi Community on 28 July, among others, describing the situation as disheartening.
MACBAN also condemned what it described as systematic attacks on herdsmen, their cattle, and settlements, citing attacks “On 21st July 2026 at Olahimu Village, Ugboju, Otukpo LGA, where herds belonging to the late Ardo Risku were attacked and Muhammad Isiyaku, 15 years, was killed, two cows killed and 26 cows rustled.”
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The association also noted that between 24 and 25 July 2026, similar incidents were recorded at Ipom, Ochimosho, Omoloye, Ofiloko, Ibagidi, and some other places in Ugboju, Otukpo LGA.
The association said, “As we speak, no Fulani settlement remains standing in the affected areas of Otukpo LGA. All have been burned down. We have credible information that these coordinated arsons and attacks are being carried out by a criminal gang known as “Ondaje Security,” comprising Agatu and Idoma youths.”
MACBAN called on the Benue State Government, security agencies, and traditional institutions to take immediate and decisive action and constitute a Joint Peace and Security Committee comprising representatives of Idoma, Igede, Agatu host communities, and Fulani stakeholders in Zone C to foster dialogue and early warning.
The association also called for the strengthening of security presence and urged that the committee be supervised by conventional security agencies to guarantee impartiality, justice, and the rule of law. It further called for the convening of an emergency stakeholders’ summit involving traditional rulers, religious leaders, MACBAN, youth groups, and security agencies to commit all parties to submitting culpable members of their communities to face the law.
MACBAN reaffirmed its commitment to peace, law, and order and urged all its members in Benue State to remain calm and channel all grievances through constituted authorities. It also prayed for God to rest the souls of those who lost their lives, grant healing to the injured, and give fortitude to the families of the bereaved in their irreparable loss.
