The Benue State branch of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria has strongly condemned the deaths in Otukpo-Nobi, in Otukpo Local Government Area. In a statement, the group's Benue State Secretary, Ibrahim Galma, urged people to wait for security agencies to complete their investigations before drawing conclusions.
Galma expressed sympathy to the victims and their families, saying he prayed for those who died and for the swift recovery of the wounded. "We condemn this act of violence in the strongest terms," he said.
The association cautioned the public against "hasty conclusions and linking the incident to Fulani herders without proper investigation by security agencies." Galma noted that Fulani people had already been forced out of Otukpo and surrounding areas following previous unrest.
"All Fulani residents in Otukpo and its environs were forcefully evicted from the area sometime last year," the statement read. This included their community leader, Chairman Yenusa, who left the state after peace efforts failed.
MACBAN pointed to what it called long-running disputes between Otukpo-Nobi and neighbouring communities such as Okete, Amla-Icho and Otada. Previous clashes in the area had claimed lives, the association said.
The group also mentioned reports of an alleged attack in Akpachi village, Ugboju, where two people were said to have been killed. However, it stressed there was no verified evidence to confirm either the attack or the reported deaths.
Galma cautioned against linking the Otukpo-Nobi killings with the recent death of Ardo Risku in Okudu, near Ohimini. He warned that such speculation could damage ongoing police investigations.
"Making such conclusions at this stage will only compromise the ongoing investigation being carried out by the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies," he said. MACBAN also appealed to authorities to monitor social media posts about the incident, fearing that unverified posts could spark fresh tensions.
"We call on the Nigerian authorities to check some content creators who are bringing this sensitive matter, which is still under investigation, into social media discussions," the statement said. "Such actions can incite tension and undermine peace efforts."
The association urged its members and residents to stay calm and obey the law while investigations proceed. Galma said MACBAN had full faith in security agencies to identify the real culprits and prosecute them, regardless of who they are.
