BENUE MACBAN CHAIRMAN APPEALS TO IG OVER SON’S DETENTION

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By: Muftau Fatimo

The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) in Benue State, Ardo Risku, on Sunday appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, to intervene in the continued detention of his son, Mahmuda Risku.

According to the media, Mahmuda was arrested on February 1, 2026, while reportedly grazing cattle near a stream in Ogobia community, Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.

Speaking at a press conference in Makurdi, the state capital, Risku said his son had taken 48 cows in search of pasture when he was intercepted by vigilantes in Ogobia near the stream.

The MACBAN chairman alleged that the vigilantes fired shots at the cattle, causing them to scatter, before arresting his son and handing him over to officers at the Otukpo Divisional Police Office

He said, “When I requested that a phone be given to my son in police custody, he narrated that he did not commit any offence but was only tending to his cattle when the vigilantes appeared and arrested him.

“I also asked the police about the offence. I was told that Mahmuda burnt a rice farm, an allegation he denied.”

Risku explained that he was in Makurdi when the incident occurred and had planned to travel to Otukpo the following day to see his son, but was later informed by the police that the case had been transferred to Makurdi.

“At the command headquarters in Makurdi, I was told that my son had been moved to the Operation Zenda office on the directive of the Commissioner of Police,” he said.

According to him, his attempt to see his son at the Operation Zenda office was denied. He added that the following day, the matter was taken to court, where he was present when his son was brought in by Zenda operatives. However, before the court could proceed, the Commissioner of Police reportedly ordered that Mahmuda be returned to Zenda custody.

Expressing concern over his son’s continued detention, Risku alleged that Mahmuda had neither been formally charged in court nor allowed access to his family.

“I have made several attempts to see the Commissioner of Police, but none has been successful. I am appealing to the Inspector-General of Police and Governor Hyacinth Alia to intervene in this matter,” he said.

When contacted, the police command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said the matter was still under investigation.

“Regarding the issue you raised, investigations are ongoing,” Edet stated.