A Nigerian police inspector who was declared missing while on official duty has been found dead in Benue State, weeks after his disappearance, raising fresh concerns over the safety of security personnel operating in volatile parts of the state.
The deceased officer, Inspector Mohammed Yakubu, was attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF) and deployed to the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) in Benue.
Security sources disclosed that Yakubu’s lifeless body was discovered on Thursday, December 18, 2025, in a bush at Tse Keleke, located in Guma Local Government Area of the state. The area is known for recurring security challenges.
According to the sources, the inspector’s remains were found in a decomposed state, close to the location where he was last seen before he went missing.
Inspector Yakubu was reported missing on June 13, 2025, after he allegedly disappeared while carrying out official duties at Tse Keleke, about 10 kilometres from Daudu, as part of joint security operations in the area.
His disappearance had sparked anxiety among colleagues and residents, particularly amid rising attacks on security operatives in parts of Benue State.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to issue an official statement on the circumstances surrounding his death. However, security sources said investigations are ongoing to determine how the officer was killed and to track down those responsible.
Benue State has remained a hotspot for violent attacks linked to armed groups, communal clashes, and criminal gangs, with both civilians and security personnel frequently targeted, especially in rural local government areas such as Guma, Logo, and Gwer West.
There have also been multiple reports of ambushes on police patrol teams, resulting in the killing and injury of officers during routine operations.
The killing of Inspector Yakubu has once again intensified calls for improved intelligence gathering, better equipment, and enhanced protection for security operatives deployed to high-risk areas across the state.
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