Gunmen have killed MACBAN chairman Ardo Muhammad in Benue State shortly after a peace meeting, sparking tension in Otukpo and Ohinmini communities amid ongoing herder-farmer conflicts

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Benue State, Ardo Muhammad, and his companion Yakubu Isah were shot dead by gunmen in Otukpo Local Government Area on Friday 26 June 2026, shortly after attending a peace meeting convened by police authorities.

Ardo Muhammad, a prominent figure in efforts to resolve herder-farmer tensions in the region, was ambushed while returning from the meeting in neighbouring Ohinmini Local Government Area.

The attack occurred at a village in Otukpo, triggering palpable tension in the affected communities.

His eldest son confirmed the tragic loss in a telephone interview, describing how gunmen ambushed his father’s vehicle.

The Chairman of Otukpo Local Government Area, Maxwell Ogiri, verified the incident and appealed for calm. “It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon.

The killing has raised tension in the community and environs,” Ogiri said.

The Chairman of Ohinmini Local Government Area, Adole Gabriel, provided further context, noting that Ardo Muhammad had participated in a fruitful peace meeting organised by the Divisional Police Officer to address earlier violence in the Ayunne community.

“Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle at Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him with one other person,” Gabriel stated.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed receipt of the report and said investigations were ongoing, with security operatives working to restore normalcy.

This latest violence comes against a backdrop of recurrent clashes between farming communities and suspected armed herders in parts of Otukpo and Ohinmini, which have claimed lives and heightened insecurity in the food basket state.

The killing of the MACBAN chairman, who had been actively involved in dialogue initiatives, underscores the fragile nature of peace efforts in the area.

Local leaders have urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies as they work to apprehend those responsible.

The incident highlights the urgent need for sustained reconciliation and enhanced security measures to protect lives and prevent further escalation of longstanding disputes.