The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has called for the immediate formation of a joint traditional security committee to curb rising insecurity, including kidnappings, in the Benue South Senatorial District.
The chairman of the association, Ardo Mohammed Risku, made the appeal during a press conference in Makurdi over the weekend, urging traditional rulers in Otukpo and Ohimini Local Government Areas to collaborate with the state government and security agencies to establish the committee.
According to Risku, the proposed committee should include conventional security operatives, traditional rulers, and representatives of the Fulani herders. He said such a structure would help identify and eliminate criminal elements threatening the peace of Zone C in the state.
“Fulanis in Idoma land have suffered serious losses — deaths, stolen cows, and burnt shelters — due to the lack of understanding and cooperation among stakeholders,” Risku lamented. He also commended Governor Hyacinth Alia for fostering relative peace since assuming office, citing peace agreements signed earlier this year between herders and Agatu, Apa, and Adoka communities.
However, he expressed concern over recent accusations against Fulani herders in Zone C, particularly in Otukpo, where they have been linked to a spike in kidnapping incidents.
“We are worried that Fulanis are not getting the needed support from our host communities to help fight crime,” Risku stated. “Just recently, youths in Otukpo Icho asked all Fulanis to vacate their community. That is uncalled for — we are all Nigerians.”
He also accused the Otukpo Local Government Chairman, Maxwell Ogiri, of deliberately avoiding peace talks and failing to engage with Fulani leaders in the area.
In response, Chairman Ogiri firmly denied the allegation, stating that he had never met Risku and had made efforts to reach the Fulani leader, only to find out he resides in Ohimini, not Otukpo.
Ogiri went further, accusing Ardo Risku of being linked to the ongoing insecurity in the area.
“Many people, including victims, have pointed fingers at him. The faces of kidnapping and robbery in Otukpo are unfortunately Fulani, and I’m ashamed he’s defending that,” Ogiri said.
He also reminded the public that Benue State still enforces the anti-open grazing law, warning that any deviation from it must be formally agreed upon by communities and the state government.
“Negotiating illegality is not an option. What Benue needs is the full enforcement of the anti-open grazing law. Only then can we restore peace,” Ogiri concluded.
The clash of perspectives between MACBAN and local authorities highlights the growing tension in Benue’s southern districts, where security challenges and ethnic distrust continue to pose significant governance hurdles.
