At least 11 people have been confirmed dead following a violent overnight attack on Ayilamo community in Benue State’s Logo Local Government Area.
The victims include four police officers and seven residents, according to the Benue State Police Command. The incident reportedly began late Thursday and continued into the early hours of Friday in the Tombo Council Ward community.
Residents said the attackers, described by locals as armed herders, entered the area through the Alufu Road axis, which links the community to neighbouring Taraba State. However, police have not publicly confirmed the identity or affiliation of those responsible for the assault.
Benue police spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the casualties during a telephone interview on Friday. He said the attack resulted in the loss of four serving policemen and seven civilians.
“We lost four policemen and seven civilians during the attack,” Aondongu said, adding that an official statement from the command would be issued.
Community members said the attack caused widespread panic as gunfire echoed through the area for several hours. A resident, Tyolumun Ugande, claimed that a large group of armed assailants descended on Ayilamo, firing indiscriminately and setting houses ablaze.
According to Ugande, the gunmen were heavily armed and attacked parts of the community before encountering officers from the Mobile Police Force who had been deployed to provide security in the area.
He said the policemen engaged the attackers in a prolonged gun battle. The exchange reportedly lasted for hours before the assailants withdrew from the community.
“The Mobile Policemen stationed in Ayilamo confronted the attackers, who came with sophisticated weapons,” Ugande said. “After several hours of gunfire, they retreated. By Friday morning, the bodies of four Mobile Policemen and some residents had been recovered from the bush.”
The attack has left many residents grieving and fearful, especially as several homes were reportedly damaged or burned during the violence. Some families were said to have fled into nearby bushes and neighbouring settlements as the shooting continued.
Umishi Terungwa, Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, also confirmed that the incident took place between Thursday night and Friday morning. He described the attack as devastating and said the community had suffered painful losses.
Terungwa said some of those killed were elders and other residents of the community, while security operatives also died while attempting to repel the attackers.
He identified the civilian victims as Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol, popularly known as Dodo, Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur, and Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku, also called Bala. Two children were also among those reported killed in the attack.
The slain police officers were identified as Assistant Superintendent of Police Paul Ina; Inspector Mohammed Yusuf; Inspector Oge Ikechukwu; and Inspector Edeh Andrew.
Initial reports from the community placed the number of dead at 12, with residents claiming that eight civilians and four policemen had been killed. However, the police later gave an official figure of 11 deaths, comprising seven civilians and four officers.
The discrepancy in the casualty figures may be linked to the confusion that followed the attack, as residents and security personnel searched surrounding bushes and damaged areas for missing persons and victims.
The incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks reported in parts of Benue State, where rural communities have repeatedly faced insecurity linked to armed raids, clashes, and displacement. Communities in Logo and other local government areas have often raised concerns over the safety of farmers, families, and security personnel stationed in vulnerable locations.
As of Friday, authorities had not announced any arrests or said whether a manhunt had been launched for the attackers. Residents are calling for a stronger security presence in Ayilamo and surrounding communities to prevent further violence.
Police are expected to provide additional details as investigations continue. The identities and motives of the attackers have not been independently established, and authorities have not confirmed claims by some residents regarding those behind the assault.
