RismadarVoice Reporters, August 13, 2026
Five suspects have been arrested in connection with the killing of a lecturer at Rev. Fr. Moses Orshio Adasu University, Makurdi (MOAUM), Gabriel Nyityo, and his younger brother, John, the university’s Vice-Chancellor, Timothy Alabar, has said.
Mr Alabar disclosed this in Makurdi while briefing journalists on his first six months in office as vice-chancellor.
Professor Nyityo, a former lecturer at Benue State University, was killed alongside his brother by suspected gunmen at his residence in Makurdi on July 7, 2026.
According to Mr Alabar, information obtained from security agencies indicated that the five suspects were from Awe Local Government Area of Nasarawa State.
The development comes after the Benue State Police Command announced the arrest of a 23-year-old suspect, Abdullahi Usman, in connection with the killings.
The police had said on July 9 that Mr Usman, who is also from Awe, was being interrogated as operatives intensified efforts to identify and arrest other suspects linked to the incident.
Mr Alabar described the killing of Professor Nyityo as a painful loss to the university, particularly its Department of History.
He said the deceased was among the founding members of the department and contributed significantly to research and curriculum development in History and Diplomatic Studies.
The vice-chancellor said the university was 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 reaffirmed the institution’s commitment to supporting measures aimed at improving security and preventing a recurrence of such incidents within the university and neighbouring communities.
