At least 16 security personnel have been killed in Benue State after suspected armed herdsmen, in collaboration with local bandits, ambushed members of a joint security task force during a clearance operation in Agu community, Mbatyula/Mberev Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
According to LEADERSHIP, a local source identified simply as Denen, said the victims were members of Operation Anyam Nyor, a Joint Security Task Force set up by the Benue State Government comprising police operatives and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
“Some of the security personnel who survived the ambush sustained varying degrees of injuries, while several others, including the leader of the team, were taken alive into custody by the attackers. The trucks conveying them were set ablaze and their motorbikes were whisked away by the armed men,” Denen said.
He explained that the security team, numbering over 90 operatives and led by Assistant Superintendent of Police, Danlami Usman, popularly known as ‘Dan Zuru’, was deployed to flush out armed herdsmen reported to have invaded the area in large numbers.
According to him, “It was alleged that the armed herdsmen joined forces with some known local militia gangs in the communities numbering up to 1,000 and laid ambush on the security team between Tse Agbami and Agu Center at the Katsina-Ala border with Ukum LGA. Unfortunately, the personnel drove into the ambush and, in exchange of gunfire, over 16 members of the security team were gunned down.”
Confirming the incident, Chairman of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Justine Shaku, described the attack as unprovoked, stating that the operatives were only on routine patrol when they were ambushed in broad daylight.
“The number of casualties was high, but for now I can’t say exactly how many personnel lost their lives because some are still in the bush and others are missing. However, what happened is a clear manifestation that the herders came for war and used members of the local bandits here in Sanders to attack the personnel, who were on their normal patrol at Agu Centre in Mbatula/Mberev Council Ward of Katsina-Ala LGA,” Shaku said.
He further disclosed that security agencies had already begun search operations. “I am here with the Commissioner of Police and his men are already combing the surroundings for the missing persons,” he added.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Udeme Edet, said the Command would issue a formal statement on the incident.
