MACBAN disputes arrest of suspects in Benue kidnapping case

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Benue State, Muhammad Ardo, has alleged that suspects arrested in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state last Wednesday were travellers.

In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the MACBAN state chairman claimed that four Fulani men were travelling from Benue State to Onitsha, Anambra State, to visit their relatives when they were allegedly ambushed.

Youths in the area were reported to have foiled an attempted kidnapping in the community last Wednesday and rescued five victims.

A day later, three suspects were reportedly arrested and handed over to the police, while one escaped.

The Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area, Adah Inalegwu, who confirmed the incident, said kidnappers abandoned their victims when vigilante youths pursued them.

Inalegwu, however, said the three suspects were arrested the following day and noted that security operatives had yet to confirm their involvement in the crime.

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“They are strangers in the community. It has not yet been confirmed if they were kidnappers, but they have been handed over to the police,” the chairman said.

However, the MACBAN chairman maintained in his statement that those arrested were travellers en route to Onitsha to meet their families.

He said, “The four Fulani men arrested were travellers going from Benue State to Onitsha to visit their relatives. One of them 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.”

He called on security agencies to investigate the incident, arrest those responsible, and ensure justice is served in order to restore order and rebuild confidence in the area.

He also denied claims that the men were kidnappers, insisting they were attacked based on their identity as Fulani travellers.