4 police officers, villagers killed in Benue attack

The Police in Benue State on Friday confirmed that four police officers were killed while repelling an attack by suspected armed bandits on Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area of the state.

Our correspondent reports that the command also confirmed the recovery of seven civilian bodies following the attack, which began at about 6:12pm on Thursday and lasted for over seven hours.

In a statement issued on Friday evening by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Aondongu, the command said the attackers invaded the community in large numbers but were eventually forced to retreat into the surrounding forest after a sustained gun battle with security operatives.

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The statement indicated that the police operatives, comprising personnel of the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams and conventional police officers, engaged the attackers throughout the operation and successfully repelled them in the early hours of Friday.

“Regrettably, four police officers paid the supreme price in the course of defending the community,” the statement said, adding that their bodies were recovered during search and rescue operations in the surrounding bushes.

Aondongu further stated that the bodies of seven civilians were also recovered after the attack and deposited at a mortuary for necessary procedures.

State Commissioner of Police, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, commended the operatives for their courage and gallantry, while paying tribute to the slain officers who, he said, made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation.

Nwadiogbu also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased civilians and the Ayilamo community, assuring residents that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property.

Meanwhile, the police commissioner said additional tactical teams had been mobilised to the area to reinforce existing security arrangements, adding that the command was working with other security agencies to sustain operations in the affected community.

The commissioner urged residents to remain calm and vigilant and provide security agencies with timely information that could assist ongoing operations.