The Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria in Benue State, Ardo Muhammad, has alleged that the men arrested in connection with a suspected kidnap case in the Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state were travellers and not kidnappers.
In a statement issued on Tuesday and made available to journalists in Makurdi, the MACBAN chairman claimed that the four Fulani men were travelling from Benue State to Onitsha, Anambra State, to visit relatives when they were allegedly ambushed.
Residents had reported that youths in the area foiled a kidnap attempt last Wednesday and rescued five victims.
A day later, three suspects were reportedly arrested and handed over to the police, while a fourth suspect escaped.
Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Okpokwu Local Government Area, Adah Inalegwu, said the abductors abandoned their victims after being pursued by local vigilantes and youths.
Inalegwu, however, noted that although the three suspects were arrested the following day, security agencies had yet to establish their involvement in the incident.
“They are strangers in the community. It has not yet been confirmed whether they were kidnappers, but they have been handed over to the police,” he said.
But reacting in a statement on Tuesday, Ardo Muhammad maintained that the arrested men were innocent travellers heading to Onitsha to see their families.
“The four Fulani men arrested were travellers going from Benue State to Onitsha to visit their relatives. One of them managed to escape.
“The other three were severely beaten. One of them later died from injuries sustained during the attack, while the remaining two are currently receiving medical treatment,” he said.
Muhammad called on security agencies to act swiftly to apprehend those responsible for the attack and ensure justice is served, saying this would help restore order and rebuild confidence in the area.
He also dismissed claims linking the men to kidnapping, alleging that they were attacked solely because they were Fulani and were travelling peacefully.