The Nigeria Police Force has disclosed that six suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack on the joint security patrol team that led to the death of 16 security personnel in Benue State.
The Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin who disclosed this in a statement however informed that three police officers died in the attack while seven are still missing adding that, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, is currently leading the operation geared towards rescuing the missing officers and arresting the fleeing suspects.
According to him, “The suspects were arrested in an ongoing response operation in Benue State following a deadly attack on Police Tactical Teams by suspected armed herdsmen and local militias at Agu Centre, Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government Area of the State.”
He said, “The attack, which occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025, resulted in the death of three police officers, while seven others are still missing. The IGP has also deployed additional tactical assets to ensure speedy arrest of suspects.”
The Force PRO quoted the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, as strongly condemning the attack, describing it as cruel, unwarranted, and an affront on the good people of Benue State.
He maintained that the arrested suspects are in custody and assisting with useful information. Equally, the IGP has directed the deployment of additional tactical assets to the area and assured that no stone will be left unturned in restoring peace and security in Benue State.
“The IG urges members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of security agencies, as the Force continues to intensify efforts towards rescuing missing personnel, apprehending fleeing suspects, and dismantling the criminal networks behind such reprehensible attacks,” he added.
Over 16 security personnel have been reportedly killed by armed men suspected to be herdsmen and local bandits during a clearance operation at Agu community in Mbatyula/Mberev Council Ward of Katsina-Ala local government area of Benue State.
Our correspondent gathered from a local source who simply identify his name as Denen that the victims are personnel of the security outfit ‘Operation Anyam Nyor’, a Joint Security Task Force established by the Benue State Government which had police and members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
He said, “Some of the security personnel who survived the ambushed sustained varying degrees of injuries while several personnel including the leader of the team were taken alive into custody, and the trucks conveying them were set ablaze and their motorbikes were whisked away by the armed men.
He explained that the security team numbering over 90 led by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Danlami Usman, also known as Dan Zuru were in the area to flush out armed herdsmen whom it was reported invaded the area in their numbers.
According to him, “It was alleged that the armed herdsmen joined forces with some known local militia gangs in the communities numbering up to 1,000 and laid ambushed on the security team between Tse Agbami and Agu Center at the Katsina-Ala border with Ukum LG.
“Unfortunately, the personnel drove into the ambush and in exchange of gun battle over 16 members of the security team were gun down.”
When contacted, the chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Justine Shaku, who confirmed the incident said, the attack was unprovoked, adding that the security personnel were on their routine patrol, when they were ambushed in broad daylight and many of them were killed.
According to the chairman the number is much but for now can’t say exactly how many personnel lost their lives because some of the personnel are still in the bush to search for the missing ones.
The chairman however noted that what happened is a clear manifestation that the herders came for war and used members of the local bandits in Sanders to attack the personnel, who were on their normal patrol at Agu Centre in Mbatula/Mberev Council Ward of Katsina-Ala LG.
He said, “I am here with the commissioner of police and his men are already combing the surroundings for the missing persons.”
When contacted the Police Public Relations Officer Udeme Edet said a statement will soon be issued.
