Police repel bandits, recover 11 bodies in Benue community

The Benue State Police Command has repelled an armed bandit attack on Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

This was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesman for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Orchia Aondogwu.

He said a report received by the command revealed that suspected armed bandits in large numbers invaded and attacked the community at about 6:12 pm.

Aondogwu said police operatives comprising PMF units, tactical teams and conventional police officers deployed to the area gallantly responded and engaged the attackers in a sustained operation that lasted for seven hours.

He said 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 September 11, 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.

Aondogwu said the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, had commended the courage, resilience and gallantry displayed by the operatives who stood firm in defence of the community.

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

According to Aondogwu, the Commissioner of Police also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased civilians and the entire Ayilamo Community, assuring them that the command shared in their grief and remained resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property.

He said 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.

Aondogwu said the Benue State Police Command reassured residents of Ayilamo Community and the people of Benue State that every necessary measure was being taken to protect lives and property.

Members of the public were urged to remain calm, vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful and timely information that could assist ongoing operations.