0
MAKURDI – Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association, Benue State chapter, has condemned an alleged attack on some of its kinsmen, just as it has debunked allegations that they were beaten up in a Benue community, for being involved in a matter of kidnapping.
While the Associate described the allegations that the herdsmen got beaten because they were involved in a kidnap-related matter, as “false and misleading”, it advised the public to disregard the social media claims capable of breeding tension.
In a statement made available to newsmen in Makurdi on Tuesday, the Chairman, of the association, Ardo Risku Muhammad, noted that the herdsmen who were waylaid and beaten were innocent of the offence for which they were alleged to have committed.
Condemning the attack, Muhammad, explained that four of the herders were ambushed whilst on their way to Onitsha to visit a relation.
He noted that in the course of the incident one of them fled the scene and got word back of the attack, adding that while one of them has died as a result of injuries sustained from the attack, the other two were still in hospital receiving treatment.
According to the statement, “I, Ardo Risku Muhammad, Chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Benue State Chapter, strongly condemn the attack that occurred on 10th June 2026.
“On that day, four Fulani men travelling from Benue state to Onitsha to visit their relatives were ambushed and attacked by members of the Aokpe/Ugbokolo community in Okpokwu LGA.
“One managed to escape. The other three were severely beaten. One of them later died from his injuries at the scene, while the remaining two are currently receiving medical treatment.
“We call on security agencies to act swiftly to arrest the perpetrators and ensure justice is served. This is necessary to restore order and rebuild confidence in the area.
We must also set the record straight. Contrary to reports circulating on social media, these men were not involved in any kidnapping-related matter. That claim is false and misleading. The victims were attacked solely because of their identity as Fulani while travelling peacefully.
“We urge community leaders, youth groups, and all social media users to refrain from spreading unverified information that can incite tension”, he cautioned.
