In a violent episode that has rocked Benue State, Aondoakaa Yaiyol, former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman of Tarka Local Government Area, was killed by gunmen on Friday night.
Yaiyol was serving as the Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services (NHFSS) in Tarka, a role critical to local security and environmental conservation.
Reports indicate that Yaiyol’s family had previously been targeted; his wife was killed last year, and their home was burned down, suggesting a prolonged conflict.
Tim Nyior, PDP 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 to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, described the killing as an assassination. He detailed 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.”
Har added that the suspect responsible for the previous 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,” he said.
Police Public Relations Officer DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the incident and stated that police are pursuing 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, assuring that the suspect would soon be apprehended.