5 Suspects Arrested Over Killing Of MOAUM Professor, Brother In Benue

The Vice Chancellor of Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), Prof. Timothy Terseer Alabar, has disclosed that five suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of a senior lecturer in the university, Prof. Gabriel Saawuan Nyityo, and his younger brother, John.

Nyityo, a professor in the Department of History and a former lecturer at Benue State University (BSU), was killed alongside his brother by unknown gunmen at his residence in Makurdi on July 7, 2026.

Speaking at a news conference in Makurdi to mark his first six months in office, Alabar said information from security agencies indicated that the five suspects were from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.

The disclosure came days after the Benue State Police Command announced the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect, Abdullahi Usman, from Awe, Nasarawa State, over the killings.

The police had, on July 9, said the suspect was being questioned while efforts were ongoing to apprehend other persons allegedly involved in the crime.

Alabar expressed concern over the killing, describing Nyityo’s death as a major loss to the university and the Department of History.

He said the deceased was a founding member of the department whose contributions as a researcher and curriculum developer had played an important role in the development of History and Diplomatic Studies at the institution.

The vice chancellor said the university was closely monitoring the investigation and would continue to cooperate with security agencies to ensure that those responsible for the killings were brought to justice.

He also stressed the university’s commitment to supporting measures aimed at preventing similar incidents in the future.