The Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, has called for a thorough, transparent and impartial investigation into the killing of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Ardo Risku, insisting that everyone involved in the attack must be brought to justice.
The Sultan, who is the Chairman of the Board of Trustees of MACBAN, made the call in a condolence message issued on Saturday through the association’s National President, Baba Othman Ngelzarma.
He expressed deep sorrow over Risku’s death, describing him as a respected community leader whose lifelong commitment to peace and dialogue helped foster understanding between herders and farming communities in Benue State.
The monarch also extended his condolences to the bereaved family, members of MACBAN nationwide, and the Benue State Government and people.
According to the statement, the late Risku was a strong advocate of peaceful coexistence who consistently championed reconciliation and constructive engagement as pathways to lasting peace in the state.
The Sultan said the deceased earned widespread respect for his unwavering commitment to dialogue and conflict resolution across different communities.
While commending the Benue State Government and security agencies for their swift response, particularly the arrest of suspects linked to the killing, the monarch stressed that justice must go beyond the initial arrests.
He urged the relevant authorities to conduct a comprehensive investigation and ensure that everyone found culpable faces prosecution in accordance with the law.
“The relevant authorities should conduct a comprehensive, transparent and impartial investigation and ensure that every person found culpable is brought to justice in accordance with the law,” the statement quoted the Sultan as saying.
The Sultan also appealed to residents of Benue State and Nigerians to remain calm and refrain from reprisals while security agencies conclude their investigations.
He warned that no grievance should be allowed to trigger another cycle of violence, noting that lasting justice could only be achieved through lawful institutions.
Paying tribute to the slain MACBAN chairman, the Sultan said the best way to honour his memory was to uphold the values of peace, restraint, dialogue and mutual respect, which he championed throughout his lifetime.
He also prayed for Allah to forgive the deceased’s shortcomings, grant him Aljannatul Firdaus and give his family the fortitude to bear the loss.
Risku was reportedly killed on June 26 in an ambush at Okudu village in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State shortly after attending a peace meeting in Ohinmini.
His associate, Yakubu Isah, was also killed in the attack.
Police authorities have since arrested 10 suspects in connection with the killings as investigations continue.
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