Suspected assassins kill varsity don, brother in Benue

From Scholastica Hir, Makurdi

Gunmen suspected to be hired assassins have murdered a lecturer at 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 younger brother, John Nyityo, at his residence in Adaka Community, Makurdi Local Government Area of the state. The incident reportedly occurred in the early hours of Wednesday, July 8, 2026.

A source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, disclosed that the assailants cut through the burglary proof on the lecturer’s bedroom window with hard objects before gaining access and shooting him and his younger brother.

A colleague of the deceased lecturer, who also spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident, saying a large crowd of sympathisers had gathered at the residence of the deceased when he visited.

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the incident.

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

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

She said: “The DPO, D Division, alongside a combined team of Delta Patrol and Operation Python, received a distress call from the Adaka axis. On getting to the scene, they found two dead bodies reportedly killed by unidentified gunmen.

“The deceased were identified as Prof. Gabriel Saawua Nyityo, male, 58, and his younger brother, Iorngee John Nyityo, male, 19.

“One suspect, Abdullahi Usman, 23, from Awe, Nasarawa State, has been arrested in connection with the crime.

“Investigation is still ongoing to arrest the remaining suspect(s).”