Suspected Herders Ambush Benue DPO, Kill Two Policemen

Suspected armed herders have ambushed the entourage of the Divisional Police Officer in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing two police officers.

The incident reportedly occurred on Monday evening as the DPO was returning to Ayilamo from Makurdi, where he had travelled on official duty.

According to community sources, the officers were among newly deployed Mobile Police personnel assigned to the Ayilamo area. They were reportedly attacked while escorting the DPO back to the community.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident, saying two officers in the DPO’s entourage were killed during the attack.

The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi to collect some items and was attacked while returning to Ayilamo.

“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.

The latest attack occurred only days after another deadly incident in Ayilamo, where four police officers and seven residents were reportedly killed by suspected armed herders.

The Guardian reported that the two officers were ambushed near Kwatan Sule, a fishing settlement close to Ayilamo, while escorting the DPO. Their bodies were subsequently deposited at a mortuary in Ayilamo.

The repeated attacks have heightened concerns over the security situation in parts of Logo Local Government Area, particularly communities bordering forested areas.

Security agencies have continued efforts to contain attacks in the affected communities and protect residents and personnel deployed to the area.

The circumstances surrounding the latest ambush remain under investigation, while authorities have not announced any arrests in connection with the incident.