Police arrest suspect over killing of Benue professor

Gunmen suspected to be hired assassins have murdered a lecturer with Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, formerly Benue State University (BSU), Professor Gabriel Nyityo, in Makurdi, Benue State.

Our correspondent gathered that Professor Nyityo was murdered alongside his 19-year-old brother, John Nyityo, at his residence in the Adaka community in Makurdi Local Government Area of the state. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

A source who did not want to be named disclosed that the assailants used hard objects to cut through the burglar-proof on his bedroom window before shooting him and his younger brother.

A colleague of the lecturer, speaking on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, stating that a large crowd of sympathisers was seen at the deceased’s residence when he visited.

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the incident.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said in a telephone interview that the lecturer was killed by unknown gunmen.

Edet also confirmed that while investigations are ongoing to unravel those behind the heinous act, one suspect has been arrested.

She explained that: “Supol D Division, a combine team of Delta Patrol team with Operation Python received a distress call along Adaka Axis and on getting to the scene, they saw two dead bodies reportedly killed by unidentified gunmen.

“The deceased were identified as one Prof Gabriel Saawua Nyityo ‘m’ 58yrs and his younger brother, one lorngee John Nyityo ‘m’ 19yrs.

“The suspect, one Abdullahi Usman, 23years, of Awe in Nasarawa state has been arrested in connection to the crime.

“Investigation is still going on to get the remaining suspect.”