Benue Bloodbath: Bandits Massacre Police and Civilians in Horrific Attack!

Eleven individuals, comprising four police officers and seven civilians, were tragically killed in an attack perpetrated by suspected armed bandits on Ayilamo community in the Logo Local Government Area of Benue State. The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident, stating that the attack commenced on Thursday evening, September 10, at approximately 6:12 p.m., and lasted for about seven hours before the assailants were repelled and forced to retreat into the surrounding forest in the early hours of September 11, 2026.

Officers from the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams, and conventional police units engaged the attackers in a sustained gun battle. According to a statement released on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, Orchia Aondongu, the operatives bravely defended the community, successfully repelling the attack and inflicting heavy casualties on the criminal elements. However, during the intense operation, four police officers – Paul Ina, Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu, and Edeh Andrew – lost their lives. Their bodies were later recovered from nearby bushes during search and rescue operations. In addition to the police fatalities, seven civilians were also killed, with their bodies recovered post-attack and deposited at a mortuary.

Residents recounted the terrifying ordeal. Tyolumun Ugande, a local resident, informed journalists that approximately 200 suspected armed herders invaded the community, indiscriminately shooting at residents and setting houses ablaze. He confirmed that Mobile Police officers deployed to Ayilamo courageously confronted the bandits, who were equipped with sophisticated weapons. After several hours of intense gunfire, the bandits withdrew, but on Friday morning, the bodies of four Mobile Policemen and several community residents were discovered in the bush. Umishi Terungwa, Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, corroborated the attack, which spanned Thursday night into Friday morning. Mr. Terungwa identified some of the civilian victims as Nyikyaa Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol (known as Dodo), Mlahaga Kpurkpur, Geoffrey Gaku (known as Bala), and two children. While Mr. Ugande initially reported a death toll of 12 (four police officers and eight civilians), the police later confirmed 11 deaths, including four officers and seven civilians.

This latest act of violence highlights persistent security challenges in the region, particularly as it occurred roughly a year after the Ayilamo Police Station was upgraded to a divisional headquarters. This upgrade, approved by Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun on August 20, 2025, was part of a broader police restructuring aimed at addressing “geographical gaps” between police formations and vulnerable communities in troubled areas of Benue State. Ayilamo was one of five stations elevated, alongside Yelewata, Jato-Aka, Okpokolo, and Agan. Additionally, new Daudu and Naka Area Commands were established to oversee various divisions. The then Benue Police Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, stated that these adjustments were intended to enhance police response in areas with difficult terrain, facilitate the resolution of farmer-herder conflicts, and improve response to distress calls. Then Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, described the restructuring as a “crucial intervention.” Nevertheless, the tragic loss of life in Ayilamo, less than two years after its divisional upgrade, underscores the continuing vulnerability of communities in the area.

In the aftermath of the attack, additional tactical teams have been mobilized and deployed to Ayilamo to reinforce existing security arrangements. The command is also collaborating with other security agencies to strengthen security and sustain operations in the affected region. Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, extended commendations to the officers who responded to the attack and paid tribute to the four fallen officers. He also conveyed his condolences to the families of the deceased civilians and the Ayilamo community. Residents have been urged by the command to remain calm and vigilant, and to provide timely information to assist security agencies in their ongoing operations.