The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has arrested two suspected members of a notorious armed robbery gang linked to the m#rder of a security guard and the theft of valuables during a violent attack in Asokoro, Abuja.

According to a statement released by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Josephine Adeh, the arrests followed a complaint that armed robbers invaded a residence in the Asokoro area in January 2026, where they killed a security guard and carted away cash, a vehicle, and other valuables.

She disclosed that operatives of the FCT Police Command Scorpion Squad launched an intelligence-led operation which led to the arrest of two principal suspects, identified as Amaechi Edemba, 46, and Kelechi Nwokoro, 48, between February 12 and 19, 2026.

Adeh mentioned that preliminary investigations revealed that Nwokoro was previously employed as a security guard by the complainant but was disengaged from service in January 2026 due to negligence. Investigations further showed that he allegedly conspired with Edemba and recruited four other accomplices from Nasarawa State to carry out the robbery.

The Police said the suspect leveraged on his prior knowledge of the premises to disable the CCTV surveillance system and cut off electricity supply before leading the armed gang into the residence. She mentioned that during the attack, the suspects were confronted by the on-duty security guard, Ishaku Marcus, but overpowered and strangled him before making away with cash, jewellery, laptops, wrappers, and a silver Toyota Camry, among other valuables.

SP Adeh added that the stolen vehicle and other exhibits have been recovered, while efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining members of the gang who are currently at large.

The Edo State Government has described former presidential candidate, Peter Obi, as a destabilizing figure in the state’s political space, alleging that crises often trail his political engagements.

Speaking on Politics Today on Channels Television on Wednesday, Commissioner for Information in Edo State, Kassim Afegbua, said Obi’s political history reflects a pattern of internal party crises.

Afegbua made the remarks while responding to discussions surrounding an alleged assassination attempt on the life of Peter Obi.

According to him, Obi’s previous visits to Edo State were followed by political unrest.

He further alleged that the crisis within the Labour Party during Obi’s membership was not resolved before his reported alignment with the African Democratic Congress, ADC.

The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has denied allegations linking it to attacks on Christians in Nigeria, insisting that its primary mission is to protect the interests of herders across the country.

The association’s National President, Baba Othman Ngenzarma, made the clarification in an interview with BBC Hausa, where he described the group as inclusive and not driven by religious or ethnic bias.

Responding to allegations of religiously motivated violence, Baba Othman said MACBAN accommodates members from diverse ethnic and religious backgrounds.

“In our organization, there is no religion or ethnic group that is excluded. We have Hausas, Yorubas, Igbos, and followers of both Islam and Christianity,” he said.

He maintained that the association should not be portrayed as a sectarian body, stressing that it represents herders irrespective of tribe or faith.

Last month, the United States (US) reportedly listed MACBAN among organisations under review for possible sanctions over alleged involvement in attacks on Christians.

But Baba Othman expressed surprise at the development.

“We do not carry weapons, and we have never sponsored any attacks. The government has never charged us with any crime,” he stated.

US lawmakers Riley Moore and Chris Smith had presented a resolution referencing a committee report, which stated that Christians in Nigeria “have long been subjected to discrimination and violence.”

The resolution reportedly urged sanctions on MACBAN, other groups, and some Nigerians, including travel bans and asset freezes.

Baba Othman argued that the actions of a few individuals should not be used to judge the entire association.

“You may find wrongdoers among police officers or soldiers, but that does not mean the whole institution is corrupt,” he said.

He added that MACBAN is only one of several herders’ associations in Nigeria and that not all herders or Fulani belong to the group.

The MACBAN president also disclosed that the association works closely with Nigerian security agencies and foreign missions, providing information to demonstrate its cooperation in addressing security challenges.

“We shared detailed information on members killed due to security challenges, including names, dates, and photos,” he said.

On the root causes of herder-related clashes in Nigeria, Baba Othman insisted that the conflicts are largely driven by land disputes rather than religious or ethnic animosity.

“Disputes arise over land use, not faith or tribe,” he said, attributing the tensions to desertification and increasing competition for farmland.

He maintained that environmental pressures and shrinking grazing routes have intensified disputes between herders and farming communities, urging stakeholders to address the underlying causes rather than frame the crisis along religious lines.