Police confirm 13 dead in Benue attack, launch operation

The Benue State Police have started a clearance operation in Efeyi community, Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area. This follows a deadly attack by suspected bandits that left 13 people dead and 20 cattle stolen.

The police shared this information in a statement on Wednesday from their spokesperson, DSP Orchia Aondongu. This was in response to the attack on the community.

Residents had claimed that 15 people were killed during the assault early on Tuesday morning. But the police said their initial investigation confirmed that 13 people died.

The police explained that the attackers came to the community to rustle cattle from a local resident, Peter Ambulus. The statement noted, "Preliminary investigation revealed that the armed bandits invaded the community with the sole intention of rustling cattle belonging to one Peter Ambulus ‘M’, a native of the area."

The statement continued, "While escaping with the rustled cattle, the assailants opened fire on farmers they encountered in the bush."

Sadly, the attack resulted in the deaths of 13 people, and the criminals successfully stole 20 cattle.

The Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, led a coordinated clearance operation with tactical teams after the attack. The police said that during the operation, their operatives faced an attack but managed to push back the assailants.

"At the end of the operation, two (2) of the suspected bandits were neutralised, while one (1) AK-47 rifle and fifteen (15) rounds of ammunition were recovered," the statement added.

The police mentioned that the operation is still ongoing. Security operatives are searching nearby forests and surrounding communities to catch the fleeing suspects, recover the stolen cattle, and bring those behind the attack to justice.

The police condemned the attack and assured residents that they are doing everything possible to restore peace and improve security in the affected community and its surroundings.