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OROKAM, BENUE STATE — By Prime Brief Media

A months-long manhunt for a suspected notorious kidnapper accused of killing his own step-sister and her son during a violent abduction attempt has ended with his arrest by a local vigilante group in Orokam district, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The suspect, Anthony Okwori, was apprehended by members of the Okalego vigilante group following what the group described as a sustained, intelligence-driven operation. He had been on the run since August 13, 2025, when he allegedly led a gang of armed men to the residence of his step-sister, Mrs. Anthonia Shuaibu, in the Adepe Ejema area of Orokam.

According to reports from the community, the armed gang struck at midnight, targeting Mrs. Shuaibu's son, Gabriel, who had reportedly arrived from Abuja earlier that day. The assailants' plan to abduct him was met with resistance, triggering a violent confrontation that ended in tragedy.

During the attack, the gunmen opened fire indiscriminately. Mrs. Anthonia Shuaibu and her son Gabriel were killed on the spot. A younger son sustained gunshot injuries and was rushed to a hospital in Enugu, where he survived and later recovered.

The suspect reportedly fled the community in the early hours of August 14, 2025, before security operatives could respond. While some individuals were subsequently arrested in connection with the incident — including one suspect found in possession of a rifle and ammunition — Okwori remained at large and was believed to have sought refuge outside the state.

The Okalego vigilante group, in a statement on Wednesday, disclosed that recent intelligence reports indicated the suspect had returned to the Ejema area. "He had remained on the run since then. A few days ago, information got to us that he was sighted in Ejema. After sustained tracking, he was finally apprehended after a struggle," the group stated.

The suspect has since been handed over to the Nigeria Police Force. Officers who received the suspect commended the vigilante operatives for their efforts, describing the operation as a product of "superior intelligence and gallantry."

Okwori is also alleged to be involved in multiple other criminal activities, including drug supply to bandits operating in the broader Benue corridor. Investigators are expected to expand the scope of questioning to encompass these wider allegations.

Orokam district, like several other communities in Benue State, has grappled with rising insecurity in recent years, particularly kidnapping and violent crime. Residents have repeatedly staged protests and community actions to draw the attention of authorities to the deteriorating security situation. The arrest of Okwori has been met with widespread commendation from residents and indigenes across various platforms, many describing it as a significant breakthrough in the community's fight against criminal elements.

Prime Brief Media continues to monitor developments regarding the ongoing police investigation and any subsequent legal proceedings.