Attack in Benue: Four police officers and seven civilians die

Eleven people died when suspected armed herders attacked Ayilamo community in the Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area in Benue State. This included four policemen and seven civilians, according to police reports.

The attack happened late Thursday night and continued into early Friday morning. Local residents say the attackers came from Alufu Road in nearby Taraba State.

In a phone interview on Friday, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the deaths. He said, "We lost four policemen and seven civilians during the attack and I will soon issue a statement."

A community member, Tyolumun Ugande, told reporters that around 200 armed herders invaded the area. They shot at residents and set houses on fire.

Ugande mentioned that a team of Mobile Policemen sent to Ayilamo faced off with the attackers. He said, "A detachment of Mobile Policemen deployed to Ayilamo confronted the bandits who were armed with sophisticated weapons."

He added, "After several hours of exchange of gunfire, the bandits retreated but on Friday morning four bodies of Mobile Policemen and residents of the community were recovered in the bush."

The Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, Umishi Terungwa, supported Ugande’s story. He said the attack took place between Thursday night and early Friday. He noted, "On September 10, 2026, Ayilamo community suffered a devastating attack attributed to Fulani assailants, leaving multiple casualties."

Terungwa named some of the civilian victims 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 who lost their lives were identified as ASP Paul Ina, Insp. Mohammed Yusuf, Insp. Oge Ikechukwu, and Insp. Edeh Andrew.

While Ugande first said twelve people died, including four policemen and eight residents, the police later confirmed seven civilian deaths and four policemen killed in the attack.