Former PDP Chairman and Nigeria Hunters Commander Shot Dead in Benue

In a targeted killing that has shocked residents of Benue State, Aondoakaa Yaiyol, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman of Tarka Local Government Area, was shot dead by gunmen late Friday.

Yaiyol was serving as the Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services (NHFSS) in Tarka at the time of his death, a role that placed him at the forefront of local security efforts.

The tragedy follows a previous violent incident in which Yaiyol’s wife was killed last year and their home was set on fire, suggesting a continuing cycle of violence against the family.

Tim Nyior, PDP’s state publicity secretary, confirmed the assassination, saying, “It’s true that the man was once PDP chairman in Tarka LGA before his current position as commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services in Tarka. Unfortunately, his wife was killed just last year.”

Chief Joseph Har, Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs to Governor Hyacinth Alia, described the killing as an assassination and provided details of the attack. “They came on a bike and shot him at close quarters and fled. After they shot the guy, they fired sporadically to scare others and then fled on a bike and they were shielded by two cars also firing sporadically to scare away people,” he said.

Har further explained that the suspect responsible for the earlier attack on Yaiyol’s wife had been imprisoned but was recently released. “Sketchy investigation shows that a criminal that attacked and killed the deceased wife and burnt the house was sent to prison. On his return both of them were chasing each other until this happened,” Har noted.

Police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the incident and assured the public that the police are on the trail of the suspect. “The incident is confirmed, immediately police in Tarka received the report, a team of officers was detailed to arrest him and they trailed him to his hideout but escaped before officers could reach there,” Edet said, promising that the suspect would be apprehended soon.