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Not fewer than 11 persons, including four mobile police officers and seven villagers, have been killed by suspected bandits in the early hours of Friday in Ayilamo community, Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed the deaths.
Locals from the area said the attack on Ayilamo was unprovoked. Ayilamo, a farming community located on the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari road, has suffered severe attacks from armed bandits who attack the villagers at will.
Our correspondent also gathered that the persistent attacks on Ayilamo may not be unconnected with rumours of large mineral deposits in the community.
A resident of the community who identified himself as Tyolumun Ugande told newsmen that armed bandits numbering over 200 stormed Ayilamo from Amaafu Road in Taraba State and advanced towards Ayilamo, shooting and burning houses.
According to him, a detachment of mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo engaged the bandits, who were armed with sophisticated weapons.
“The bandits invaded the community at about 2am and so, the policemen engaged them in a gun duel. After several hours of exchange of gun fire, the bandits were repelled but this morning, four lifeless bodies of Mobile Police men were found in the bush.
“We also, discovered 8 bodies of residents of Ayilamo who were killed by the bandits”, the resident said.
Another resident, James Udough, told newsmen on telephone in Makurdi that that was the second time in one month that mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo were killed, adding that the bandits had planned to set the entire Ayilamo community ablaze.
He called on the Benue and Federal Government authorities to help secure their land and the lives of his people.
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In a press statement, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, confirmed the attack and death of 11 persons, describing it as unfortunate.
The statement, signed by the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Peter Aondongu, read: “The Command wishes to inform members of the public of the repelled attack on Ayilamo Community in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State on 10th September 2026.
“Report received reveals that suspected armed bandits in large numbers invaded and attacked the community at about 1812hrs. 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.
“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 following the attack and deposited at a mortuary for necessary procedures.”
The Commissioner commended the courage, resilience and gallantry displayed by the operatives who stood firm in defence of the community and paid special tribute to the fallen officers who made the ultimate sacrifice in the service of their nation.
Nwadiogbu also extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the deceased civilians and the entire Ayilamo community, assuring them that the Command shared in their grief and remained resolute in its commitment to protecting lives and property.
He said additional tactical teams had been mobilised and deployed to the area to reinforce existing security arrangements, while the Command continued to work closely with other security agencies to strengthen security and sustain operations in the affected area.
He further reassured residents of Ayilamo community and the people of Benue State that every necessary measure was being taken to protect lives and property, while urging members of the public to remain calm, vigilant and cooperate with security agencies by providing useful and timely information that could assist ongoing operations.
