Benue: NHFSS commander Aondoakaa Yaiyol shot dead by gunmen

A wave of grief has swept through Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State following the tragic killing of Aondoakaa Yaiyol, the local Commander of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Services (NHFSS).

Yaiyol, who also previously served as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, was reportedly shot dead on Friday night by unknown gunmen. According to eyewitness accounts, the assailants arrived on a motorcycle and targeted him at close range.

Confirming the incident, Tim Nyior, the Publicity Secretary of the PDP in Benue State, said during a phone interview on Saturday:“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.”

Sources said Yaiyol’s wife was killed in a similar attack last year, during which their home was also set ablaze.

Joseph Har, the Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, also confirmed the killing and described it as a targeted attack.“It was an assassination of Commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services, NHFSS, Aondoakaa Yaiyol,” he 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.”

He added that initial investigations suggest a possible link to the earlier attack on Yaiyol’s wife.“Sketchy investigation shows that a criminal that attacked and killed the deceased’s wife and burnt the house was sent to prison. On his return both of them were chasing each other until this happened.”

Police spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet also confirmed the killing, noting that efforts were underway to apprehend 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 [he] escaped before officers could reach there,” Edet stated.He assured that the individuals responsible would be brought to justice.