In a disturbing development in Benue State, gunmen have assassinated Aondoakaa Yaiyol, the ex-chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Tarka Local Government Area. The attack took place on Friday night, leaving the community in shock.
Yaiyol was not only a political figure but also held the position of Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services (NHFSS) in Tarka LGA, an organization tasked with protecting local forests and communities.
Tragically, this is not the first time violence has struck Yaiyol’s family. Last year, his wife was killed under similar violent circumstances, and their home was set on fire. This history of targeted violence suggests a pattern of ongoing conflict.
Confirming the assassination, Tim Nyior, the PDP state publicity secretary, said, “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, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, provided further details of the attack. “It was an assassination of commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services NHFSS, Aondoakaa Yaiyol. They came on a bike and shot him at close quarters and fled,” Har said.
He added that the assailants fired sporadically to intimidate bystanders and were supported by two cars that shielded their escape by firing shots into the air. “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 explained.
Police spokesman DSP Udeme Edet confirmed that officers are pursuing the suspects. “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 caught.
