By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be bandits have killed four mobile policemen and eight civilians during an attack on Ayilamo community in Tombo Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attackers reportedly invaded the farming community in the early hours of Friday, shooting at residents and setting houses ablaze.
Ayilamo, located along the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari Road, has reportedly come under repeated attacks by armed men in recent times.
An eyewitness and resident of the community, Tyolumun Ugande, told our correspondent that more than 200 armed men stormed the community through Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State at about 2am.
According to him, the attackers advanced towards Ayilamo, shooting and burning houses before engaging a detachment of mobile policemen deployed to the community.
“The bandits invaded the community at about 2am, and the policemen engaged them in a gun duel. After several hours of exchange of gunfire, the bandits were repelled.
“But this morning, four lifeless bodies of mobile policemen were found in the bush. We also discovered eight bodies of residents of Ayilamo who were killed by the bandits,” Ugande said.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Logo Local Government Area confirmed the attack and the deaths, adding that reinforcement was being deployed to the area.
Another resident, James Udough, who spoke with our correspondent by phone in Makurdi, said the attack was the second in one month in which mobile policemen deployed to the community had been killed.
He said the attackers were close to setting the entire community ablaze before they were repelled.
Udough appealed to the Benue State and Federal Governments to take urgent measures to protect the lives and property of residents of the community.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, confirmed the incident and said an official statement would be issued.
