Suspected armed herdsmen have killed four Mobile Policemen and eight civilians in a brutal attack on Ayilamo, a farming community in Tombola Ward of Logo Local Government Area, Benue State. The incident occurred on Friday morning after over 200 armed men invaded the village from Alufu Road in Taraba State, engaging security forces in a prolonged gunfight before retreating. Residents discovered the bodies of the four policemen and eight local residents in the bush following the attack, which also saw homes set ablaze and widespread destruction.
Ayilamo, situated along the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyii-Wukari axis, has been a frequent target of violent raids by armed bandits in recent years. The attackers were reportedly equipped with sophisticated weapons, indicating a high level of organization and planning. A resident, Tyolumu Ugande, described how the assailants advanced into the community, firing sporadically and burning houses as they moved through the settlement. He confirmed that Mobile Policemen stationed in Ayilamo engaged the invaders in a fierce exchange of gunfire that lasted several hours.
The aftermath revealed the grim toll of the assault. In addition to the deaths of the four Mobile Policemen, eight civilians lost their lives, according to Ugande. The Security Committee Secretary for Ayilamo confirmed the incident and emphasized that the community had repeatedly called for more military and police reinforcements to prevent such attacks. Another resident, James Ugah, stated this was the second time in one month that Mobile Policemen deployed to Ayilamo had been killed, underscoring the persistent insecurity in the area.
Ugah also raised concerns about possible motives behind the attacks, suggesting that rumors of significant mineral deposits within and around Ayilamo may be fueling the violence. He appealed to both the Benue State government and the federal authorities to take urgent action to protect the lives and property of the people. “We’ve been pleading for help for over two years now,” he said, adding that the community is increasingly vulnerable without adequate security presence.
Efforts to obtain an official statement from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Orchia Aondogwu, were unsuccessful at the time of reporting. Despite the lack of immediate confirmation from law enforcement, local eyewitness accounts and community leaders have provided consistent details about the scale and brutality of the attack. The recurring nature of these incidents highlights growing insecurity in parts of Benue State, particularly in areas bordering Taraba State.
As tensions rise and civilian casualties mount, there is increasing pressure on national and state security agencies to respond decisively. The situation in Ayilamo remains volatile, with residents living in fear of further attacks. Without sustained intervention, similar tragedies could continue to unfold across the region.
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