The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of an Assistant Superintendent of Police, ASP, and four residents following a violent attack by suspected gunmen in Abande community, Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
The deadly incident, which occurred on February 3, has once again drawn attention to the rising insecurity in parts of Benue State, particularly in rural communities that have continued to face repeated attacks by armed groups.
The attack was confirmed in a statement released on Wednesday in Makurdi by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme.
According to the police spokesperson, the deceased officer was attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force in Makurdi and had been deployed to Abande community on special assignment as part of ongoing security operations in the area.
Udeme explained that the assault was reported after the Divisional Police Officer in Jato Aka received a distress call indicating that suspected armed bandits had launched a coordinated attack on police officers stationed in the community, as well as on local residents.
She said the gunmen stormed the area unexpectedly, opening fire and causing panic among villagers who attempted to flee for safety.
During the attack, the ASP reportedly sustained severe injuries that later proved fatal. In addition to the police officer’s death, four civilians, all residents of Abande community, were also killed.
The incident has left the community in mourning, as families struggle to come to terms with the loss of their loved ones.
DSP Udeme noted that the police and other security agencies have since moved swiftly to prevent further escalation of violence in the area.
Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security personnel were mobilised and deployed to Abande community to restore calm, secure lives and property, and prevent any further breakdown of law and order.
Security operatives have also launched intensive search operations within surrounding bushes and nearby settlements in an effort to locate and apprehend the perpetrators.
The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary, Udeme stated.
She further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately take charge of the security situation in Jato Aka and surrounding communities.
As part of the response, additional mobile force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers have been deployed to strengthen security presence, track down the attackers, and ensure that those responsible are brought to justice.
The police command also expressed condolences to the families of the slain officer and the four civilians, as well as the entire Abande community.
The Benue State Police Command commiserates with the families of the deceased and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to arrest the perpetrators and restore peace to the area, the statement added.
Residents of Kwande Local Government Area have continued to call for stronger security intervention, as communities in the region have experienced recurring attacks that have displaced families and heightened fear among locals.
Meanwhile, investigations into the circumstances surrounding the latest attack remain ongoing, as authorities intensify efforts to prevent further violence in the state.
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