The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the deaths of four police officers and seven civilians following an attack by suspected armed bandits on Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
The command said the attack occurred at about 6:12 p.m. on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when the suspected bandits, reportedly operating in large numbers, invaded the community.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, said personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), tactical units and conventional police teams engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted about seven hours.
According to the command, the security operatives eventually repelled the attackers, forcing them to withdraw into the surrounding forest in the early hours of Friday.
However, four police officers were killed while defending the community.
The command said the bodies of the officers were recovered from surrounding bushes during search and rescue operations.
Seven civilians were also killed in the attack, with their bodies recovered and deposited at a mortuary for necessary procedures.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, commended the operatives for what he described as their courage, resilience and gallantry during the attack.
He also paid tributes to the slain officers, describing their deaths as the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation.
The police commissioner condoled the families of the deceased civilians and the people of Ayilamo, assuring them that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property.
Meanwhile, the command said additional tactical teams had been mobilised and deployed to Ayilamo to reinforce existing security arrangements.
It added that it was working with other security agencies to strengthen security and sustain operations in the affected area.
The police urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while providing timely information that could assist security agencies in their ongoing operations.
