MACBAN Claims Arrested Men in Benue Kidnap Case Innocent

In a statement issued on Tuesday, Ardo Muhammad, the chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), claimed that four Fulani men arrested in connection with a kidnapping case in Okpokwu Local Government Area, Benue State, were merely travelers. They were reportedly en route from Onitsha, Anambra State, to visit relatives when they were allegedly ambushed by local youths who thwarted a kidnapping attempt last Wednesday, rescuing five victims.

Following the incident, three suspects were arrested, while a fourth managed to escape. Muhammad confirmed that the arrested men were innocent travelers and had been severely beaten during the attack, with two currently receiving medical treatment.

He urged security agencies to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible for the attack and ensure justice is served, emphasizing the need to restore order and rebuild confidence in the area, while dismissing claims linking the men to the kidnapping.