Police Confirm 5 Killed In Benue Terrorist Attack

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that five people, including a police officer, were killed during Tuesday’s attack on Abande community, Turan, Kwande local government area of the State by bandits.

Benue State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, who confirmed the incident in a statement on Wednesday explained that the Divisional Police Officer, Jato-Aka, received a distress call that suspected armed bandits, in large number, had attacked police personnel stationed at Abande Community as well as members of the community.

The statement stated that during the ensuing confrontation while police operatives were responding to the distress call, one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured during the attack.

Udeme said four members of the community also lost their lives as a result of the attack by the bandits.

“Following the incident, a combined team of police operatives and other security agencies were mobilised to the area to secure the community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order.

“The bodies have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” the Police spokesperson stated.

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately proceed to Jato-Aka with additional Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest.

The Police Command assured the public that all necessary measures were being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area.