By Fatima Saka
A faith-based civil rights organisation, the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), has strongly condemned the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association (MACBAN), Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, describing the act as gruesome and a threat to ongoing peace efforts in the state.
The pastoralist leader was reportedly murdered on Friday, June 26, 2026, while returning from a peace meeting convened by the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ohinmini Local Government Area of Benue State. His death has since sparked widespread outrage and renewed concerns over security and inter-communal relations in the region.
In a statement issued on Sunday, June 29, 2026, and signed by the Kano State Chairman of MURIC and Coordinator for Northern States and Abuja, Malam Hassan Sani Indabawa, the group expressed shock over the incident and called for an immediate, thorough, and transparent investigation.
MURIC alleged that the victim and his companion were attacked by unidentified assailants, accusing them of attempting to undermine peace-building efforts and provoke reprisals.
“The brutal killing of Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, a respected community leader, peace advocate, and philanthropist, is a dangerous development capable of triggering chaos and bloodshed,” the statement said.
The organisation warned that such targeted killings have historically contributed to cycles of violence in Benue and Plateau States, often escalating into broader ethnic and religious conflicts.
It further urged security agencies to act swiftly in identifying and prosecuting those responsible, stressing that failure to do so could embolden further attacks and destabilise the region.
MURIC also cautioned against retaliatory violence, noting that the perpetrators’ alleged intention was to deepen divisions along ethnic and religious lines for destructive purposes.
“We charge the security agencies to find those responsible for this dastardly act within a reasonable period and ensure they face the full force of the law,” the group added.
The killing comes amid ongoing efforts to restore peace in parts of Benue State, which has witnessed recurring clashes involving farmers and pastoralists.
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