A suspected herders attack on Ayilamo community in Benue state has left four Police operatives and seven members of the community dead.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, in a statement on Sunday, said the incident occurred on September 10th through early morning of 11th but the assailants were repelled by the Police.
It further explained that the suspected armed bandits in large numbers invaded and attacked the community at about 6pm. 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 which lasted for 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.
The statement said 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 and deposited at a mortuary for necessary procedures.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command Cletus Nwadiogbu commended the courage, resilience and gallantry displayed by the operatives who stood firm in defence of the community. He pays special tribute to the fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their nation.
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 shares in their grief and remains resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property.
Meanwhile, additional tactical teams have been mobilised and deployed to the area to reinforce existing security arrangements, while the Command continues to work closely with other security agencies to strengthen security and sustain operations in the affected area.
The Benue State Police Command reassured.residents of Ayilamo Community and the people of Benue State that every necessary measure is being taken to protect lives and property. He urges the public to remain calm, vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful and timely information that can assist ongoing operations.