A wave of profound grief and panic has enveloped Benue State following a devastating, coordinated assault by suspected armed herders on the farming community of Ayilamo, located in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area.
The midnight carnage, which began unfolding late Thursday and stretched into the early hours of Friday, left 11 people dead, including four brave Mobile Police officers and seven local residents. According to eyewitness accounts and local security committees, a heavily armed militia numbering over 200 fighters stormed the settlement from the Alufu Road axis bordering Taraba State, shooting indiscriminately and torching residential houses.
A detachment of Mobile Policemen stationed in the community immediately engaged the attackers, sparking a fierce, multi-hour gun battle. While the security operatives successfully forced the bandits to retreat into the bush, the heavy exchange claimed the lives of four officers—identified as ASP Paul Ina, Insp. Mohammed Yusuf, Insp. Oge Ikechukwu, and Insp. Edeh Andrew. Seven local residents, including community elders and children, were also killed during the onslaught.
Confirming the tragedy, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, expressed deep sorrow over the loss of personnel and citizens, noting that tactical reinforcements have been deployed to comb the surrounding terrain and track down the fleeing perpetrators.
Residents have once again cried out to federal and state authorities for a permanent military presence, warning that farming communities along the volatile borders remain sitting ducks for relentless, well-armed incursions.
