The Benue State Police Command has apprehended seven more suspects, among them an 80-year-old man, over the killing of the state Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Ardo Mohammed.
Mohammed was murdered on June 26 by armed assailants after attending a peace meeting in Ohinmini Local Government Area of the state.
He and his associate, Yakubu Isah, came under attack and were killed around Okukwu in Otukpo Local Government Area while returning from the peace meeting.
Three days after the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Udeme Edet, disclosed that 10 suspects had been arrested in connection with the murder.
Edet, in a statement released on Saturday and made available to journalists in Makurdi, said seven additional suspects had been apprehended as investigations progressed.
She said, “Following sustained intelligence gathering, painstaking investigation and continuous tactical operations, an additional seven suspects have been arrested in connection with the case.”
“The arrests were made during intelligence-led operations by operatives of the command in continuation of the investigation.”
Edet identified the suspects as “Chief Morgan Ejaga (43); Chief Moses Anteyi, (45); Chief John Ogli (58); Chief Yawuhu Adaji (49); Sylvester Ajonye (80); Aba Alexander Uloko (59); and Fidelis Iduma (45).
The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Cletus Nwadiogbu, praised the investigating and tactical teams for their dedication and professionalism, noting that their sustained efforts had continued to produce encouraging outcomes.
He assured residents that the investigation into the case was still ongoing, adding that every person found to have played a direct or indirect role in the crime would be identified, arrested and prosecuted in line with the law.
The police commissioner urged members of the public to remain calm and continue supporting the police and other security agencies with credible and timely information to assist the investigation.
