The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that four police officers and seven civilians were killed during an attack by suspected armed bandits on Ayilamo Community in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
The command said the attack occurred at about 6:12pm on Thursday, September 10, 2026, when the suspected bandits, said to be operating in large numbers, invaded the community.
According to a statement issued on Friday by the Public Relations Officer of the Force, DSP Orchia Peter Aondongu, operatives comprising members of the Police Mobile Force (PMF), tactical teams and conventional officers engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted about seven hours.
The command said the security operatives eventually repelled the attackers, forcing them to retreat into the surrounding forest in the early hours of Friday.
However, four police officers were killed while defending the community.
The command said the bodies of the officers were recovered from surrounding bushes during search and rescue operations.
Seven civilians were also killed in the attack, with their bodies recovered and deposited at a mortuary for necessary procedures.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, commended the operatives for what he described as their courage, resilience and gallantry during the attack.
He also paid tributes to the slain officers, describing their deaths as the ultimate sacrifice in the service of the nation.
The police commissioner condoled the families of the deceased civilians and the people of Ayilamo, assuring them that the command remained committed to protecting lives and property.
Meanwhile, the command said additional tactical teams had been mobilised and deployed to Ayilamo to reinforce existing security arrangements.
It added that it was working with other security agencies to strengthen security and sustain operations in the affected area.
The police urged residents to remain calm and vigilant while providing timely information that could assist security agencies in their ongoing operations.