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By Winnie Onu, Makurdi
The operatives of the Benue State Police Command have shot dead a wanted suspected assassin, Saater, who was on the run for the killing of a local Hunters’ Commander and his wife in Tarka Local Government Area.
Police Public Relations (Officer PPRO) DSP Udeme Edet, who disclosed this in a statement on Monday, said the suspect was gunned down on Saturday, October 18, 2025, during an exchange of gunfire with detectives who tried to arrest him around George Akume Way, Makurdi.
Edet explained that the police had received credible intelligence that the suspect, who had been in hiding since the 2023 and 2025 assassinations of Mr. and Mrs. Yayol, had sneaked back into the state capital of Makurdi to plan fresh attacks.
“When operatives moved to arrest him, he opened fire on the team. They responded decisively, subdued him, and recovered dangerous weapons in his possession,” the statement said.
Items recovered from the suspect include an AK-47 rifle, a locally fabricated short gun, several rounds of live ammunition, cartridges, and multiple SIM cards believed to have been stolen.
The suspect, who sustained gunshot injuries during the confrontation, was taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), where he was confirmed dead.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the operatives for their professionalism and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining peace and security across the state.
He urged residents to continue providing useful information to aid police operations.
“We will not relent in flushing out criminal elements determined to destabilise Benue State,” Emenari assured.
