Skeletal Remains of Missing Police Inspector Recovered in Benue After Six Months

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the recovery of suspected skeletal remains believed to be those of Inspector Mohammed Yakubu, a officer with the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF) attached to Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF). The remains were discovered on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in a bush in Guma Local Government Area, close to the area where the officer was last seen.

Inspector Yakubu was reported missing on June 13, 2025, while on duty at Tse Keleke, approximately 10 kilometers from Daudu. His disappearance had raised significant concerns within the security community and beyond, marking a prolonged missing-in-action case that lasted over six months.

Following a tip-off, a joint security team—including personnel from the Makurdi metropolitan area command, Daudu division, police medical unit, State Intelligence Service (SIS), 13 PMF, Operation Zenda JTF, Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), and Benue State Civil Protection Guards—was swiftly deployed to the scene. The team recovered the skeletonized remains, which were subsequently transported to the 13 PMF base for further processing.

Authorities have indicated that the remains will be released to the family for burial after necessary consultations and procedures. The police command described the development as bringing closure to the long-standing case, though investigations into the circumstances surrounding the officer’s disappearance and death may continue. As of December 20, 2025, no further details on the cause of death have been officially released.