Yet to be identified gunmen suspected to be hired assassins, have murdered the Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services (NHFSS), Aondoakaa Yaiyol in Tarka Local Government area of Benue State.
The incident happened at Wannune market on Friday, June 20, 2025. about 6:30 pm. Tarka is the home country of the Secretary to Government of the Federation.
Our correspondent gathered that Yaiyol, a one time Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, was trailed and shot at close range inside the market.
It was further gathered that the wife of the commander had also been killed last year during a similar attempt to murder him.
Confirming the incident, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har (PSP) who spoke to Journalists on phone, Saturday said the local government chairman and members of the NHFSS in Tarka confirmed to him that the assassins came on a bike and shot their boss at close quarters and fled immediately.
“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
He noted that “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 have been chasing each other until this happened.”
While equally confirming the incident the Benue State Police Command in a statement by its public relations officer DSP Udeme Edet also made clarifications on misleading information circulating in the social media about imagined herdsmen attack on Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area .
The Benue Police Command wishes to address and set the records right on the misleading information circulating in some social media platforms claiming that some herdsmen attacked Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State on 21/06/2025.
We understand the importance of accurate information, hence the need to set the records right.
Edet said on Friday evening information was received by the police that one Aondoakaa Yayough was shot dead along Akume Road in Wannune, Tarka LGA and swiftly deployed a team of detectives to the area.
“Upon arrival, some persons within the area identified the assassin to be one Saater Aii said to be an ex-convict.
Suspect was disarmed by local security.
Though he managed to escape. Two other persons injured at the scene have been taken to the hospital where they are responding to treatment.”She added
Edet said detectives are on the trail of the fleeing felon and an AK 47 rifle used in the attack has been recovered by police adding that Investigation is ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect.
She therefore advised members of the public to be cautious of misinformation and rely on credible sources for information as there was no report of herdsmen in Wannune.
