Four policemen, seven civilians killed in Benue attack

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of four mobile policemen and seven civilians in a renewed attack on Ayilamo, Tombo council ward, Logo Local Government Area of the state.

The command said the attack occurred on Thursday, when suspected armed bandits in large numbers invaded the community.

According to a statement issued on Friday by the spokesperson for the state command, Peter Aondongu, police operatives comprising Police Mobile Force units, tactical teams and conventional police officers deployed to the area engaged the attackers in an operation that lasted seven hours.

“The operatives stood firm in defence of the community and successfully repelled the attack, forcing the criminal elements to retreat into the surrounding forest with heavy casualties in the early hours of 11th September 2026.

“Regrettably, four police officers paid the supreme price in the course of defending the community. Their bodies were subsequently recovered during search and rescue operations in the surrounding bushes.

“The corpses of seven civilians were also recovered following the attack and deposited at a mortuary for necessary procedures.”

The PPRO said that the Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the courage, resilience and gallantry displayed by the operatives who stood firm in defence of the community.

He added that Nwadiogbu paid special tribute to the fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their nation.

Aondongu said that additional tactical teams had been mobilised and deployed to the area to reinforce existing security arrangements, while the Command continued to work closely with other security agencies to strengthen security and sustain operations in the affected area.

He reassured residents of Ayilamo Community and the people of the state that every necessary measure was being taken to protect lives and property.

The spokesperson, however, charged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful and timely information that could assist ongoing operations.

Meanwhile, a resident of the community who identified himself as Tyolumun Ugande told journalists on Friday that about 200 suspected armed herders invaded the community from Alufu road in Taraba State, shooting and burning houses.

Ugande 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 eight residents of the community were recovered in the bush.”

The Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, Umishi Terungwa, who corroborated Ugande, told journalists that the incident happened between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday.

He said, “On 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.”

He listed the casualties to include Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol (Dodo), Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur, Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku (Bala), and two children.

The names of the slain MOPOL include Paul Ina, Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.