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In a significant breakthrough for law enforcement in Nigeria’s Benue State, police have neutralized a high-profile murder suspect in a dramatic gunfight. The incident marks a step forward in addressing the region’s persistent security challenges, which have plagued communities with violence and displacement throughout 2025.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the death of Saater (surname not specified in reports), a resident of Wannune in Tarka Local Government Area. Saater had been on the police wanted list for multiple high-profile killings, including the assassination of Aondoakaa Yayol, the Commander of the Nigerian Hunters and Forest Security Services in Tarka LGA and former Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the area, on June 20, 2025. He was also linked to the earlier murder of Yayol’s wife, Kashimana Yayol, on February 11, 2023, both incidents occurring in Wannune.
According to Police Spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet, speaking on behalf of Commissioner of Police CP Ifeanyi Emenari, the suspect met his end on October 18, 2025, during a confrontation with operatives in Makurdi, the state capital. Acting on credible intelligence, detectives tracked Saater to George Akume Way, where he allegedly opened fire in an attempt to evade arrest. Officers responded swiftly, subduing him in the ensuing gun battle.
Saater was rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) but was later confirmed dead. Recovered from the scene were one AK-47 rifle, a locally made short gun, several rounds of ammunition and cartridges, and seven stolen SIM cards.
CP Emenari urged residents to report suspicious persons and criminal activities, assuring the public that the command remains committed to safeguarding lives and property across Benue State.
This operation comes amid escalating insecurity in Benue, often dubbed Nigeria’s “Food Basket” for its agricultural prowess but increasingly marred by violence. In 2025 alone, the state has seen over 10,000 people displaced due to attacks in areas like Gwer West, Agatu, and Ukum, with armed herdsmen and bandits contributing to widespread chaos. Horrific incidents, such as the June 2025 massacres in Yelewata and Daudu communities that claimed over 200 lives, underscore the crisis. Additionally, at least 76 security personnel have been killed in the line of duty over the past year, highlighting the dangers faced by those combating the threats.
Local vigilante groups, like the hunters led by the late Yayol, have been instrumental in filling security gaps, but their leaders have become targets in what appears to be a cycle of retaliatory violence. The government’s efforts, including partnerships with the Nigerian Air Force and other agencies, aim to restore peace, though critics point to systemic issues like farmer-herder conflicts and governmental response delays.
As investigations continue, this takedown may provide some relief to affected communities, but it also serves as a stark reminder of the urgent need for comprehensive strategies to tackle Benue’s security woes. Residents hope for sustained action to prevent further bloodshed and enable a return to normalcy.
