Gunmen suspected to be bandits on Monday, August 11, killed three people while three others sustained life-threatening injuries in Benue State communities, in an attempt to invade Udei and Yelwata towns in Guma Local Government Area.
The dead were identified as Peter Shinku, Tyoalumun Igyor Anya, and Moyolga Udegi, while the injured ones were David Mondu, Orkuuga Kanyi (Area), and Nguevese Amaki.
This was confirmed by the Public Relations Officer of Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, in a statement.
Thenewsbearer reports that the bandits had gone to Udei Town at about 5a.m., but were repelled by deployed police tactical units who engaged them in a shootout before they they escaped through the border forest.
Not done, gunshots were heard from the bandits at about 7a.m. by the tactical teams deployed to Yelwata, as the armed men headed towards the town.
The PPRO, in the statement, said that in response, the police tactical teams and other security agents on ground braced up against the invaders with superior fire power and repelled the intended attacks, making the criminals to flee with gunshot injuries.
A pursuit of the bandits into the forest by the security units in Yelwata led to the discovery of the dead and injured victims who reportedly had earlier gone to their farms in the outskirts of the village before they were attacked, it was further learnt.
The PPRO said that three injured ones were taken to Benue State University Teaching Hospital where they are currently receiving treatment, while the three others were confirmed dead by doctors.
Commiserating with family members and friends of the deceased, the Commissioner of Police, Dr Ifeanyi Emenari, pledged his commitment to continually fighting criminality in the area.
The Commissioner of Police commended the Yelwata women for their show of understanding by listening to top state government officials deployed by the state governor and shelving their protests.
He also expressed appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, for his full support towards restoring security in Benue State, most especially the deployment of police tactical teams and provisions of logistics.
The police boss encouraged people of Yelwata to continue supporting the police and all the other security agencies deployed to provide security in their areas with relevant information.
He urged them to remain law abiding, especially the youths, saying that they should keep on working and supporting security agencies in their communities and report security concerns to the nearest Divisional Police Officer and other appropriate authorities.
