MACBAN Condemns Mob Attack on Fulani Travellers in Benue

The Benue State chapter of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, MACBAN, has condemned the alleged attack on four Fulani travellers in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state, which reportedly left one person dead and two others injured. MACBAN alleged that the victims were attacked by residents of the Aokpe/Ugbokolo community on June 10, 2026, while travelling from Benue State to Onitsha to visit relatives.

In a statement signed by its chairman, Ardo Risku Muhammad, the association described the incident as unfortunate and called on security agencies to arrest those responsible and ensure justice for the victims. According to the statement, the four men were travelling peacefully when they were allegedly ambushed by some residents of the community. Muhammad said one of the travellers managed to escape during the attack, while the remaining three sustained severe injuries.

One of them later died from his injuries at the scene, while the remaining two are currently receiving medical treatment.

— Ardo Risku Muhammad, Chairman, MACBAN Benue State

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.

— Ardo Risku Muhammad

MACBAN also dismissed reports circulating on social media that linked the victims to kidnapping activities, insisting the allegations were false and maintaining that the victims were attacked solely because they were Fulani and had been travelling peacefully through the area. The association appealed to community leaders, youth groups and social media users to refrain from spreading unverified information capable of inflaming tensions.

Contrary to reports circulating on social media, these men were not involved in any kidnapping-related matter. That claim is false and misleading.

— Ardo Risku Muhammad

Tension Linked to a Recent Kidnapping in the Community

However, findings indicated that the incident may have been triggered by heightened tension in the community following a recent kidnapping case. It was gathered that the travellers were apprehended by youths in the area a day after armed men suspected to be herders allegedly kidnapped five persons from the community. The victims were said to have been rescued shortly afterwards by local vigilantes, prompting suspicion among some residents that the Fulani travellers could have been members of the kidnapping gang.

Reacting to the development, Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Council, Adah Inalegwu, said security agencies had yet to establish any connection between the apprehended individuals and the kidnapping incident.

They are strangers in the community. It has not yet been confirmed whether they were kidnappers, but they have been handed over to the police.

— Adah Inalegwu, Chairman, Okpokwu Local Government Council

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the matter. Efforts to obtain the reaction of the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful as enquiries sent to her had yet to receive a response. The incident has heightened concerns over mob justice and the dangers of profiling amid growing insecurity in parts of the state, with stakeholders calling for restraint and adherence to due process while investigations continue.