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Gunmen were reported to have killed the Benue State chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Ardo Risku Muhammad, and one other, identified as Yakubu Isah.

The killing of the MACBAN state chairman has raised tension in some communities in the state.

According to the son who spoke to newsmen in Makurdi Friday night, his father had attended a peace meeting allegedly convened by the Divisional Police Officer of Ohinmini with leaders of the Ayunne community in the Ohinmini Local Government Area of the state on Friday.

He explained that after the meeting, his father and his colleague were travelling back when some gunmen ambushed him at an Okuku village in Otukpo LGA and killed him along with the other occupant of the vehicle.

His eldest son,, who disclosed the incident to newsmen in a telephone chat late on Friday, said that the father was ambushed and killed.

Confirming the incident, the Chairman of Otukpo LGA, Maxwell Ogiri, said that there is palpable tension in the community where the incident happened and other neighbouring communities in the LG.

He said, “It is true that the state chairman of MACBAN was killed within Otukpo LGA this afternoon; the killing has raised tension in the community and environs.”

Ogiri, who called on residents of the local government to remain calm, said that security operatives were on top of the situation.

Also speaking on the incident, the chairman of Ohinmini LGA, Adole Gabriel, stated that the MACBAN state chairman had attended a peace meeting convened by the divisional police officer of the local government on Friday.

“You know, there was a crisis at the Ayunne community where some people were killed some time ago, and the DPO of Ohinmini convened a peace meeting with the Fulani herders and the community.

“I was told that the meeting was fruitful, and at the end of the meeting, the man (MACBAN chairman) left. Unfortunately, I learnt that some gunmen ambushed his vehicle in the Okudu community in Otukpo LGA and killed him and one other person.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the state command, DSP Udeme Edet, said she has received the report and promised to release a statement to the effect soon.

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Two people were killed on Thursday in Imo State when a bomb explosion occurred inside a large drainage channel in the state.

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, said in a statement on Friday that the incident happened at about 9:15 p.m. in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, identified the slain victims as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, of Umulumu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, and Victor Egwu, 22, of Agba, Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

“Preliminary investigation indicates that the two suspects (victims), who were inside the large drainage channel at the time of the explosion, are suspected scrap metal scavengers.

“They sustained severe burn injuries during the incident and were promptly evacuated to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were confirmed dead while receiving treatment,” he said.

The spokesperson said police operatives immediately visited the scene of the explosion and cordoned off upon receipt of a tip-off about the incident.

He said the police in the state subsequently deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit to “secure and thoroughly sweep” the scene.

“The area has since been declared safe,” he assured.

Mr Okoye said the police in the state had begun an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion.

“Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” he assured.

The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State Audu Bosso, has assured residents of the state that the police in the state were “on top of the situation.”

“The area has been secured, and there is no cause for panic,” Mr Bosso said.

The commissioner urged the residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any “suspicious objects or activities” to the police.

This is not the first time a bomb would explode in Imo State.

In September 2025, one person was killed when a bomb explosion occurred in Obinwanne Community, Njaba Local Government Area of the state.

The September explosion occurred about three months after a similar bomb explosion rocked Awo-Idemili, a community in Orsu Local Government Area of the South-eastern state.

Aside from some injured victims, a middle-aged woman was killed during the explosion which occurred in June 2025.

In November 2024, at least two people were killed when a bomb exploded at the International Market in Umuna, a community in the Orlu Local Government Area of the state.

Although no group has claimed responsibility for the bomb explosions, the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been blamed for some deadly attacks in the South-east.

But the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks in the region.

IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria.

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Lagos State Government will demolish all buildings marked as distressed around the collapsed 3-storey building at Alakija, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu said yesterday.

Speaking during an inspection tour of the site on Friday, Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Mr Gbenga Omotoso, who represented Governor Sanwo-Olu, sympathised with the families of the victims and praised emergency responders for their swift intervention.

According to the Commissioner, 27 people were rescued alive from the rubble. Nine died. The search and rescue operation lasted all night. Still at the site are Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA), Lagos State Fire and Rescue Service, Lagos State Building Control Agency (LASBCA),the Police, Command and Control Centre, Neighborhood Watch and other agencies.

“Governor Sanwo-Olu is saddened by this incident. He sends his condolences,” Omotoso said, adding: “ This should not have happened, if people had obeyed the law instead of prioritizing livelihoods over lives. The collapsed building had been marked as structurally distressed and occupants were directed to vacate the premises, but the warning was ignored.”

“All other buildings already marked as unsafe within the area will be demolished to prevent similar tragedies and avoid a compromise of the lives of others around.

“27 people were rescued alive, while 9 casualties were recorded during the search and rescue. Governor Sanwo-Olu commiserates with the families who lost their loved ones,” Omotoso said.

The Commissioner also promised that owners of the collapsed building would be prosecuted by the state. Anyone found to have violated building regulations or frustrated enforcement efforts will surely face legal action,”he said.

Omotoso condemned the construction of buildings beneath high-tension electricity lines, describing the practice as “dangerous” and “suicidal”.

According to the commissioner, the cause of the collapse is being investigated. Survivors are receiving treatment at various hospitals.

“Owners of the collapsed and other distressed buildings will be prosecuted for culpability in the incident, according to the law of Lagos State.

“You cannot build under high-tension power lines. It is dangerous and unacceptable in any civilized society. It shows disregard for the law, and the government will not tolerate that,” Omotoso said.

The government urged residents to comply with safety directives, stressing that protecting lives remains its top priority.

Mr Omotoso advised all residents of buildings around the scene to relocate immediately. He praised all the first responders for “a good job”.

LASEMA Permanent Secretary Dr Olufemi Oke-Osanyintolu also commended “all first responders and security personnel who worked tirelessly for the evacuation of survivors as the building was brought to ground zero”.

With Omotoso was Special Duties Commissioner Gbenga Oyerinde, who also praised the first responders “for their efforts”.