On June 20, 2025, gunmen killed Aondoakaa Yaiyol, the commander of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Services, in Tarka Local Government Area, Benue State. The attack took place at night when the assailants entered Yaiyol’s home in Wannune, the Tarka LGA headquarters. They shot him at close range and fled on motorcycles, supported by two cars firing shots to scare residents. Yaiyol’s wife was killed in a similar attack last year, and his house was burned down previously. Tim Nyior, the publicity secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party in Benue, confirmed Yaiyol’s death on June 21, 2025. Nyior noted that Yaiyol was once the PDP chairman in Tarka LGA before becoming the Hunters commander. Joseph Har, Special Adviser to Governor Hyacinth Alia on Security and Internal Affairs, also confirmed the incident, calling it an assassination. Har said initial investigations suggest a link to a criminal who killed Yaiyol’s wife and burned his house. This suspect was imprisoned but later released, leading to ongoing conflict with Yaiyol. The Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, stated that police responded quickly, tracking the suspect to his hideout, but he escaped. Edet promised that the police would soon arrest the suspect.
