ATTACK ON AYILAMO COMMUNITY IN BENUE STATE LEAVES 4 POLICE OPERATIVES & 7 PEOPLE DEAD 

At least 11 people — four police officers and seven civilians — have been killed following an attack on Ayilamo community in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed that suspected armed bandits invaded the community on Thursday evening, September 10, 2026. Police Mobile Force personnel, tactical teams and conventional officers engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted about seven hours.  

According to the command, the security operatives succeeded in repelling the attackers, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding forest. The bodies of four police officers were subsequently recovered from nearby bushes, while seven civilian bodies were also recovered and deposited at a mortuary.  

The police officers were identified as ASP Paul Ina, Inspector Mohammed Yusuf, Inspector Oge Ikechukwu and Inspector Edeh Andrew.

The command said additional tactical teams had been deployed to reinforce security in the area and urged residents to remain calm and provide useful information to security agencies.

Local residents, however, reported that the attackers were in large numbers and allegedly arrived through the Taraba State axis, shooting at residents and setting houses ablaze.