JUST IN: Police Confirm Bandits Kill Five, Including Police Officer in Benue Attack

The Police Command in Benue has confirmed the killing of a mobile officer and four civilians by armed bandits in Abande, Kwande Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday in Makurdi, where he stated that the Divisional Police Officer, Jato-Aka, Kwande LGA, received information on 3rd February that suspected armed bandits had attacked police personnel stationed in Abande community as well as members of the community.

During the confrontation, one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the 13th Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande, was fatally injured. Four community members also lost their lives in the attack, Udeme added.

“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary. In response to the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations to proceed to Jato-Aka immediately.

“He is directed to go with additional mobile force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest.

“The Benue State Police Command commiserates with the families of the deceased and the Abande Community and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area,” she said.