FOUR mobile policemen and eight villagers were reportedly killed on Friday morning when armed invaders attacked Ayilamo community in Tombo Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
News Point Nigeria reports that locals said the attackers, allegedly numbering more than 200, invaded the farming community through Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State and advanced towards Ayilamo, where they reportedly opened fire on residents and set houses ablaze.
According to the locals, Ayilamo, located along the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari road, had come under repeated attacks by bandits, forcing residents to call for an increased security presence in the area.
A resident, Tyolumun Ugande, told journalists in Makurdi that a detachment of mobile policemen deployed to the community engaged the attackers, who were reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons.
Ugande said the gun battle lasted several hours from Thursday night before the bandits eventually retreated, adding that the bodies of four policemen were discovered in the bush on Friday morning.
He said eight other villagers were also found dead after the attack, while several houses were reportedly burnt by the attackers.
Another resident, James Udough, also told newsmen that the latest incident was the second time within one month that mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo had been killed by the attackers.
“The bandits have been trying to set the whole of Ayilamo ablaze for more than two years now. We call on security personnel, the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to help secure our land and lives,” he said.
Some residents also alleged that the persistent attacks could be connected to rumours of the existence of large mineral deposits in and around Ayilamo.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, DSP Peter Aondongu, said he would issue a statement on the incident, but had yet to do so as of the time of filing this report.
The reported attack comes amid continuing security concerns around the Ayilamo axis. Recent police operations in Logo Local Government Area have also targeted suspected armed criminals, including operations around Ayilamo.
