Suspected armed herders have killed two police officers in Benue State after ambushing the escort of the Divisional Police Officer of Ayilamo in Logo Local Government Area, barely days after another deadly attack claimed the lives of four policemen and seven residents in the same community.
The incident occurred on Monday as the DPO, who had travelled to Makurdi on official duty, was returning to Ayilamo with his entourage.
Community sources told PUNCH Online on Tuesday that the officers were attacked around 6pm while travelling to Ayilamo to escort the DPO back into the community.
One of the sources, who requested anonymity, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers assigned to Ayilamo.
“At about 18:00 hours on Monday, some individuals identified as newly deployed Mobile Police officers to Ayilamo community were attacked and killed,” the source said.
The source added that the officers were on their way from Ayilamo to meet the DPO, who was returning from Makurdi, when they encountered the armed assailants.
The attack has deepened security concerns in Ayilamo, which has suffered repeated violence within a few days.
Last Thursday, suspected armed herders reportedly invaded the community and killed four police officers and seven residents. The recent deaths bring the number of policemen reportedly killed in the two incidents to six.
The circumstances surrounding Monday’s assault suggest that the attackers struck a police team operating along the route into the troubled community. The DPO survived the incident, but two members of his entourage were killed.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the latest attack.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, disclosed that the DPO was returning from Makurdi when the assailants attacked his convoy.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to carry some things and while going back to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The police did not disclose the identities of the slain officers or provide details on the attackers’ escape after the ambush.
Ayilamo’s location in Logo LGA has placed it within a security environment where attacks on residents and security personnel have intensified concerns over access, mobility and protection.
The incident also illustrates the risks faced by officers deployed to communities affected by persistent armed violence. Even an official movement involving a senior police officer was exposed to an attack, leaving two personnel dead.
With two major attacks recorded in Ayilamo within days, the renewed violence has inflicted fresh losses on both the security apparatus and the local population.
The immediate priority will be to establish the identity of those responsible for the attacks and strengthen protection around the community and adjoining routes. The police command has yet to announce any arrest linked to Monday’s ambush.
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