The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a police officer and four civilians following a deadly attack by suspected armed bandits in Abande community, Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
The incident was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday in Makurdi by the command’s spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Edet Udeme.
According to the statement, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Jato-Aka Division received a distress call on February 3 reporting that armed bandits had attacked police personnel deployed to Abande community, as well as residents of the area.
DSP Udeme revealed that during the confrontation, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, who was on special assignment in the community, sustained fatal injuries.
She added that four members of the Abande community also lost their lives as a result of the attack.
In response to the incident, a joint team of police operatives and other security agencies has been deployed to the area to secure the community, conduct intensive search operations, and prevent further breakdown of law and order.
“The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” the statement noted.
Following the attack, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately proceed to Jato-Aka with additional security personnel.
He further ordered the deployment of more mobile police officers and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensified security operations aimed at tracking down the attackers and ensuring their arrest.
The Benue State Police Command expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the Abande community, assuring residents that all necessary measures are being taken to apprehend the perpetrators and restore lasting peace to the area.
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