Four policemen and seven civilians have been killed in an attack on Ayilamo community in the Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack, reportedly carried out by suspected armed herders, occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the deaths on Friday.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, said 11 people, comprising four policemen and seven civilians, were killed during the attack.
“We lost four policemen and seven civilians during the attack and I will soon issue a statement,” Aondongu said.
A resident of the community, Tyolumun Ugande, told journalists that about 200 suspected armed herders invaded the area, shooting at residents and setting houses ablaze.
According to him, a detachment of Mobile Police officers deployed to the community engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
He said the confrontation lasted several hours before the attackers retreated, adding that the bodies of the slain policemen and residents were recovered from the bush on Friday morning.
The Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, Umishi Terungwa, also confirmed the attack.
Terungwa said the incident occurred on Thursday, September 10, and described it as a devastating attack that claimed the lives of community members, elders and security personnel.
Among the civilians killed were Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol, also known as Dodo, Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur and Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku, also known as Bala.
Two children were also reportedly among the civilian casualties.
The four Mobile Police officers killed in the attack were identified as ASP Paul Ina, Inspector Mohammed Yusuf, Inspector Oge Ikechukwu and Inspector Edeh Andrew.
Residents alleged that the attackers entered the community through Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State.
While an initial account put the death toll at 12, including four policemen and eight civilians, the police subsequently confirmed that 11 people were killed — four policemen and seven civilians.
