The Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN), Ardo Muhammed Risku, has accused the police of violating the rights of his son, Mahmuda Risku, over his continued detention without what he described as due process.
Risku made the allegation on Sunday during a press conference in Makurdi, where he appealed to the Inspector-General of Police and the Benue State Government to intervene in the matter.
According to him, his son was arrested on February 1, 2026, by vigilantes while grazing cattle near a stream in Ogobia community, Otukpo Local Government Area, before being handed over to the police.
He alleged that vigilantes shot at the cattle, causing them to scatter, adding that only 10 out of the 48 animals later returned with bullet wounds, while 38 remained missing.
Risku said his son was taken to the Otukpo Divisional Police Office and later transferred to the Benue State Police Headquarters in Makurdi, before being moved to the Operation Zenda office on the directive of the Commissioner of Police.
He said the police accused his son of burning a rice farm, an allegation Mahmuda denied, insisting he was only tending cattle at the time of his arrest.
Risku alleged that despite being taken to court, his son was returned to Operation Zenda custody before the matter could be heard, and has since remained in detention without being properly charged or granted access to his family.
He further alleged that police valued the alleged damage to the rice farm at N18 million and demanded payment before his son could be granted bail, a claim he said amounted to injustice.
“My lawyer went to secure his bail, but they insisted I must pay N18 million first. They are not addressing the issue of my missing cattle but are instead demanding money,” Risku said.
He also raised concerns over his son’s safety, alleging that suspects detained by Operation Zenda are often subjected to torture, citing previous cases involving his relatives.
Risku called on the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that the matter is s properly taken to court or that his son is released, warning that the Commissioner of Police should be held responsible if anything happens to him in custody.
He described himself as a law-abiding citizen and appealed to the state government to intervene, saying efforts to see or reach the Commissioner of Police had proved abortive.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, said the matter was still under investigation.
