Gunmen Kill Former PDP Chairman Aondoakaa Yaiyol In Benue

Aondoakaa Yaiyol, a former chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Tarka Local Government Area of Benue State, has been shot dead by unknown gunmen.

It was gathered that Aondoakaa Yaiyol was serving as the local commander of the Nigeria Hunters and Forest Security Services (NHFSS) before his death on Friday night.

Sources say he was gunned down by attackers who arrived on a motorcycle and opened fire at close range.

After killing him, the gunmen reportedly fired shots into the air to scare off bystanders before fleeing, with the help of two other vehicles providing cover.

The tragic killing comes barely a year after Yaiyol’s wife was murdered under similar circumstances, and their house was also set on fire.

According to Punch, the PDP’s state publicity secretary, Tim Nyior, confirmed the incident in a phone call on Saturday, expressing sadness over the loss.

 “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,” Nyior said.

The governor’s Special Adviser on Security and Internal Affairs, Chief Joseph Har, also confirmed the assassination.

He called it a targeted killing, stressing that Yaiyol’s murder might be linked to the man previously jailed for attacking his wife and burning their home.

Har said, “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.

“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 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.”

Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer in Benue, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed that police received the report and immediately launched a manhunt for the suspect.

Edet said officers traced the suspect to a hideout but missed him before they could make an arrest.

He assured the public that the suspect is being pursued and will be arrested soon.

KanyiDaily had also reported how gunmen kidnapped Nelson Adepoyigi, the All Progressives Congress (APC) chairman for Ward 5 in Ifon, Ose Local Government Area of Ondo State.