Four police officers, seven civilians killed in Benue community attack

Eleven people, including four policemen and seven civilians, were killed when suspected armed herders attacked Ayilamo community in the Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, the police have confirmed.

The attack reportedly occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, with residents alleging that the attackers invaded the community from Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State.

Confirming the incident in a telephone interview on Friday, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said four policemen and seven civilians were killed during the attack.

“We lost four policemen and seven civilians during the attack and I will soon issue a statement,” he said.

Earlier, a resident of the community, who identified himself as Tyolumun Ugande, told journalists that about 200 suspected armed herders invaded the community, shooting at residents and burning houses.

Ugande said a detachment of Mobile Policemen deployed to Ayilamo confronted the attackers.

He said, “A detachment of Mobile Policemen deployed to Ayilamo confronted the bandits who were armed with sophisticated weapons

“After several hours of exchange of gun fire, the bandits retreated but on Friday morning four bodies of Mobile Police men and residents of the community were recovered in the bush.”

The Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, Umishi Terungwa, who corroborated Ugande’s account, said the incident occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday.

He said, “0n September, 10, 2026, Ayilamo community suffered a devastating attack attributed to Fulani assailants, leaving multiple casualties.

“Among the victims were respected elders, community members and security personnel.”

Terungwa listed some of the civilian casualties as Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol (Dodo), Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur, Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku (Bala), and two children.

The four Mobile Police officers killed were identified as ASP Paul Ina, Insp. Mohammed Yusuf, Insp. Oge Ikechukwu and Insp. Edeh Andrew.

While Ugande initially put the death toll at 12, including four policemen and eight residents, the police confirmed seven civilian deaths and four policemen killed in the attack.