Two police officers were killed on Monday after suspected armed herders ambushed the escort team of the Divisional Police Officer of Ayilamo in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sources in the community said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi on official duties and was returning to Ayilamo when the attack occurred at about 6 p.m. on Monday.
The slain officers were said to be newly deployed Mobile Police personnel heading from Ayilamo to escort the DPO back to the community when they came under attack.
A resident, who spoke on condition of anonymity for security reasons, said the officers were ambushed along the route by armed assailants.
“The incident occurred while the officers were on their way from Ayilamo community to escort the Divisional Police Officer of Ayilamo, who was returning from Makurdi,” the source said.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the DPO had travelled to Makurdi to collect some items and was attacked while returning to Ayilamo.
According to him, two police officers attached to the DPO’s team were killed during the attack.
The latest killings come days after another deadly attack on Ayilamo community, where four police officers and seven residents were killed by suspected armed herders.
Police said the earlier attack, which lasted several hours, was repelled by security operatives, although casualties were recorded on both sides.
Residents alleged that the attackers operate from forests and abandoned settlements within the Tombo Council Ward area of Logo LGA and called for sustained security operations to prevent further violence.
The latest incident brings to six the number of police officers killed in Ayilamo within a few days, further heightening concerns over the security situation in the area.
