The police command in Benue has confirmed the death of a suspected serial killer, Saater Aii of Wannune, in Tarka LGA.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement on Monday.

Ms Edet said the suspect before his death was wanted for the alleged assassination of the Tarka LG Hunters’ commander, Aondoakaa Yayol, who was killed on June 20, and his wife, Kashimana Yayol, who was killed on February 11, 2023.

The police spokesperson said that both murders occurred in Wannune, the headquarters of Tarka LGA, and the suspect went into hiding.

“However, on 18th October, 2025, credible intelligence revealed that the suspect had clandestinely returned to Makurdi with plans to carry out further attacks. Acting swiftly on this information, a team of detectives was deployed to apprehend him around George Akume Way, Makurdi.

“Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect opened fire on them. The police responded appropriately and succeeded in subduing and arresting him.

“During the encounter, the suspect sustained gunshot injuries and was immediately taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH) for treatment, where he was later confirmed dead. His corpse has since been deposited at the hospital mortuary,” she said.

Ms Edet disclosed that the police recovered from him one AK-47 rifle, one locally fabricated shotgun, several 7.62 mm live ammunition cartridges, and seven SIM cards suspected to have been stolen.

Meanwhile, the police commissioner, Ifeanyi Emenari, has advised all residents to desist from criminal activities and to promptly report any suspicious persons or movements to the nearest police station or any other security agency within their vicinity.

(NAN)