Officer, Four Others Killed in Fresh Benue Attack

A police officer and four residents have been killed following an attack by suspected armed bandits in Abande community, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed that the incident occurred on Tuesday in the troubled community.

Spokesperson of the command, Udeme Edet, said an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force unit in Makurdi was on special duty in Abande when the attackers struck.

He explained that the Divisional Police Officer in Jato-Aka received a distress call reporting that suspected armed herder bandits had launched a coordinated assault on security personnel and residents of the community.

According to Edet, the police officer sustained fatal injuries during the attack, while four members of the community also lost their lives.

He dismissed reports suggesting a higher death toll, stating that the confirmed number of casualties stood at five as of the latest update.

The police spokesman said a joint team of security operatives has been deployed to the area to restore calm, secure the community and prevent further violence.

He added that the bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited at a mortuary.

The Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, has also dispatched the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations to the affected area to coordinate security efforts.

Emenari commiserated with the families of the victims and residents of Abande community, assuring them that those responsible for the attack would be tracked down and brought to justice.

The latest incident adds to the wave of violent attacks that have plagued parts of Benue State in recent months.

It also comes amid ongoing prosecution of suspects linked to a previous deadly attack on Yelwata community, where scores of people were reportedly killed.

The Federal Government is currently pursuing charges against nine suspects in connection with that earlier attack as part of efforts to curb rising insecurity in the state.