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

According to the MACBAN boss, his son was arrested on February 1, 2026 over alleged open grazing near a stream in the Ogobia community, Otukpo local government area of the state.

Risku who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi at a press conference on Sunday

said that his son had taken 48 cows in search of pasture when some vigilantes in Ogobia arrested him near a stream.

He alleged that the vigilantes also shot at the cattle making some of the cows to stray to different directions, injured and thereafter arrested the son who was later handed over to the police at the Otukpo Divisional Police Office.

According to Ardo “My son said 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, the allegation he denied.

The MACBAN boss said that at the time the incident happened he was in Makurdi and had planned to travel to Otukpo the following day to see his son when he was told by the police that the matter had been transferred to Makurdi.

He stated further, “At the Command Headquarters in Makurdi, I later learnt that my son had been transferred to the Operation Zenda office on the directive of the Commissioner of Police.

“I went to the Operation Zenda office, but they refused me to see my son. The next day, the case was taken to court, and I was present when my son was brought in by Zenda operatives but before the court could take action on the matter, the Commissioner of Police ordered that my son be returned to Zenda custody.

While expressing concern over the continued detention of his son, Risku alleged that his son was yet to be charged to court or granted access to his family.

“I have made efforts to see the Commissioner of Police, but all have been unsuccessful and am appealing to the Inspector General of Police, Governor Hyacinth Alia to intervene in this matter.

When contacted, the Command spokesperson, DSP, Udeme Edet said that the matter was under investigation.

“Concerning this matter you raised, investigation is ongoing,” Edet said. (Nigerian Tribune)

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