Suspected gunmen have killed Aondoakaa Yaiyol, the former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chairman in Tarka LGA of Benue state.
Yaiyol was local government’s Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services commander before his murder on Friday night.
According to media reports, Tim Nyior, PDP publicity secretary in Benue, confirmed Yaiyol’s death on Sunday.
“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, ” Nyior was quoted as saying.
“Unfortunately, his wife was killed just last year,” he said.
Joseph Har, the special adviser to Hyacinth Alia, Governor of Benue on security and internal affairs, also confirmed the incident, which, he described as an ‘assassination’.
“It was an assassination of commander of the Nigeria hunters and forest security services NHFSS, Aondoakaa Yaiyol,” Har said.
“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.
“Sketchy investigation shows that a criminal who 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.”
Udeme Edet, police spokesperson in the state, said operatives are working to arrest the perpetrators.
“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.
