The Ochetoha K’Idoma Forum Worldwide has officially denounced the fatal attacks on Ardo Risku Mohammed, a prominent Fulani leader, and Mr. Yakubu Isah within the Ohimini Local Government Area of Benue State. In a statement issued in Abuja, the Forum’s leadership, including President-General Prof. Yakubu Ochefu and Secretary-General Chief Paul Edeh, demanded that law enforcement officials swiftly identify and prosecute those responsible for the violence. The victims were killed shortly after participating in a peace and security session organized by the police.
The organization conveyed its sympathy to the grieving families and the local Fulani community. They asserted that no historical conflict justifies such lethal violence, regardless of the perpetrator’s social status. The Forum noted that this tragedy is part of a decade-long cycle of insecurity in Idomaland, marked by village raids, farmer killings, and mass displacement.
Addressing the broader implications of the violence, the Forum cautioned against generalizing the incident as an ethnic conflict, maintaining that criminal culpability is an individual matter. They criticized both federal and state authorities for failing to provide adequate security, despite repeated warnings and formal requests for action. The group urged the public and media to avoid inflammatory language that could heighten tensions.
In conclusion, the Forum called for calm among Idoma residents and appealed for cooperation with security services to ensure justice is achieved through legal channels rather than retaliation. They reaffirmed their dedication to peaceful coexistence and demanded a more robust, intelligence-led approach from the government to protect all citizens across the state.
