Police have arrested five suspects linked to the killing of two men from Kano State in Makurdi, Benue. The victims, Jamilu Ahmad and Barhama Suleiman, were reportedly attacked late Monday night while passing through Agan, a settlement near the Makurdi tollgate.
They were said to be travelling when they were ambushed and killed. Their Islamic funeral (Janazah) took place the next day at the National Mosque in Abuja, attended by top government officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu and Kano State Governor Abba Kabir Yusuf. The victims were later buried at Gudu Cemetery, with both officials present at the burial.
Governor Yusuf condemned the attack as cruel and unjustified. He urged the Benue State Government and security agencies to act swiftly in bringing the killers to justice, describing the incident as a painful loss not just to Kano but to the entire nation. He also reminded the Edo State Government to provide compensation to families affected by the recent Uromi attack, stressing the need for fairness and justice in handling inter-community violence.
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia also denounced the killings, calling them barbaric. In a statement from his spokesperson, Tersoo Kula, the governor confirmed that police had already arrested five suspects. He assured the public that the state would not allow a few criminals to damage its reputation for peace and hospitality. Alia offered condolences to Governor Yusuf and said he had spoken with him personally to express support and promote calm among residents of both states.
Muhammad Ibrahim Khalil, a cousin of one of the victims, described the loss as deeply painful and unforgettable. He called on law enforcement to do more, expressing hope that the souls of the deceased find eternal rest.
The Kano State Government urged residents to remain peaceful and avoid any form of retaliation. Governor Yusuf reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to protecting all Kano indigenes across the country, stating that every Nigerian has the right to live and move freely without fear. He emphasised that acts of hate and violence must not shape the country’s identity.
