Operatives of the Nigeria police have arrested a fleeing Principal suspect behind the alleged murder of Professor Gabriel Saawua Nyityo, aged 58, and Iorngee John Nyityo, aged 18 at their residence in Adaka Community, Makurdi, Benue State Capital.
The spokesperson of the Nigeria police Command in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet confirmed the incident in a statement on Friday, following the violent attack on the victims last Wednesday July 8, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m.
Edet disclosed that the murder suspect, Abdullahi Usman, aged 23, from Awe, Nasarawa State, was apprehended at an NDLEA checkpoint in Lafia while escaping through a coordinated operation by operatives after committing the alleged crime.
The police image maker explained police operatives have evacuated bodies of the deceased and deposited them at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital Mortuary for preservation and post-mortem examination.
Edet recalled, “On 8th July, 2026, at about 2:00 a.m., the Divisional Police Officer of ‘D’ Division, Makurdi, received a distress call reporting that armed men had attacked residents of a compound in a remote part of Adaka Community”.
“Upon receipt of the report, the DPO immediately mobilised patrol teams to the scene” where the Benue State University lecturer and another were recovered by the police.
“Following the incident, police operatives of the command immediately launched an intensive and extensive manhunt.
“All the security bases and checkpoints within and around the state were placed on high alert”, according to the police spokesperson.
The statement also said the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has commenced a full-scale investigation to establish the motive behind the attack, apprehend other fleeing suspects, and recover the weapons and other exhibits in connection with the alleged crime.
Commenting on the incident, the Commissioner of police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the swift response of the officers involved and the collaboration of NDLEA personnel and other security agencies that facilitated the suspect’s arrest.
The police Commissioner, assured the public that the Command remains committed to ensuring that everyone connected to this heinous crime is brought to justice.
