Benue: Two police officers killed as gunmen ambush Ayilamo DPO’s entourage

Two newly deployed Mobile Police officers have been killed in an ambush while escorting the Divisional Police Officer, DPO, of Ayilamo Police Division back to the community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The officers, who were recently deployed to Ayilamo, came under attack at about 6 p.m. on Monday, September 14, while accompanying the DPO on his return journey from Makurdi.

The latest incident brings the number of police officers killed in Ayilamo to six within four days.

DAILY POST recalls that four Mobile Police officers were earlier killed on Thursday, September 10, when suspected armed attackers invaded the community.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Peter Aondongu, confirmed the latest attack to journalists in Makurdi on Tuesday.

“The DPO’s entourage was ambushed on its way back from Makurdi to Ayilamo,” Mr Aondongu said.

He disclosed that two police personnel lost their lives during the attack.

The names of the deceased officers had not been made public as of the time of filing this report.

Some residents who spoke about the incident alleged that the attackers were armed herders operating from forests and abandoned settlements around Tombo Council Ward in Logo Local Government Area.

The residents raised fresh concerns over the presence and movement of armed men through forests and deserted communities in the area.

They urged security agencies to intensify and sustain operations in the affected communities to prevent further attacks and protect residents as well as security personnel.