A deadly ambush by armed groups in the Agu Center general area of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA) in Benue State last Friday night resulted in the deaths of security operatives and left several others missing. Initial reports from Dr. Shaku Justine, the Council Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, indicated that 11 security personnel who participated in clearance operations were missing, with three bodies recovered by Sunday afternoon. Residents, however, alleged that as many as 16 security operatives were unaccounted for following the encounter with multiple armed invaders.

The incident involved a combined team of elite operatives from the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Operation Zenda, and the Forest Guard, who had embarked on a patrol to a known bandit camp at Agu Centre. According to a situation report from the Benue Special Operations Command, the patrol team came under intense gunfire from the bandits. During the ambush, two police Hilux vehicles were burned down, and a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) belonging to Operation Zenda was carted away. Despite sustaining damage from bullets, the operatives successfully protected an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and managed to move it to the nearest army checkpoint.

While the Benue Special Operations Command confirmed that 11 officers remained unaccounted for and were presumed dead, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) later stated that three policemen were killed and seven other personnel remained missing. The NPF identified the attackers as suspected armed herdsmen and local militias. Eyewitnesses cited by the council chairman alleged that the attackers numbered more than 1000 and came in large numbers. Among the missing, one officer known as Danzuru was reportedly captured alive by the bandits, according to the council chairman.

In response to the heinous attack, the NPF has made significant progress, arresting six suspects believed to be connected to the ambush. Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer, confirmed that these suspects are currently in custody and are assisting with useful information. The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, strongly condemned the attack, describing it as cruel, unwarranted, and an affront to the people of Benue State. He has since deployed additional tactical assets to the area, vowing that 'no stone will be left unturned in restoring peace and security in Benue State'.

The Benue Commissioner of Police, Innocent Emenari, is personally leading an ongoing operation to rescue the missing personnel and track down the perpetrators. The police have urged residents to remain calm and lend their support to security agencies as efforts continue to rescue the missing personnel and dismantle the criminal networks responsible for the assault. Rescue teams continued to comb the bushes for missing officers and to retrieve additional bodies, even as the PPRO, DSP Udeme Edet, indicated that a formal statement would be issued.