Bandits kill police officers, vigilantes in deadly Benue ambush

Armed bandits have aunched a deadly ambush against a combined team of security operatives in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in multiple deaths.

The attack, which occurred on September 19 at Agu Centre, was reported by security analyst Zagazola Makama.

Sources revealed that the patrol team — made up of personnel from Operation Anyam Nyor, Operation Zenda, the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), and local civil protection guards — was on routine duty when it came under heavy fire.

“The attackers, armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and heavy weapons, engaged the operatives in a prolonged gun battle.

“The commander of the civil protection guard was shot in the hand, while one police officer and two local vigilantes were killed instantly.

“Later in the day, two more bodies of police officers attached to Operation Zenda and Anyam Nyor, as well as two local vigilantes, were recovered and deposited at NKST Zaki Biam Hospital morgue,” said sources.

At least five police officers and an unspecified number of vigilantes remain missing, according to the same sources.

The bandits also torched two police patrol vehicles, including a gun truck assigned to the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force. An SIS Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was immobilised during the encounter but later retrieved, with its crew found unharmed.

Reinforcements from police tactical units and soldiers from the Nigerian Army’s 401 Brigade have since joined the ongoing counter-operation against the assailants.

Efforts to deploy Nigerian Air Force support were said to have been hindered by poor weather conditions, sources added.