At least three police officers have been killed and seven declared missing after attackers ambushed a tactical police team in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack, which occurred on Friday at Agu Centre in Mbatyula/Mberev ward, comes just 94 days after President Bola Ahmed Tinubu visited Benue and ordered security chiefs to “flush out” armed groups following the Yelewata massacre.
Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Justin Shaku, who received the remains of the fallen officers on Saturday, described the incident as devastating. Among those killed was Danlamin Usman, popularly known as Dan Zuru.
“I was completely in shock when I saw the bodies, especially that of Officer Dan Zuru. This is a great loss, not only to the police but to our entire community,” Mr Shaku said.
Police spokesperson Benjamin Hundeyin confirmed on Sunday that six suspects had been arrested in connection with the killings and are providing “useful information.”
The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, condemned the ambush, describing it as “cruel and unwarranted,” and ordered fresh tactical deployments to the troubled area.
Residents, however, argue that the renewed killings show presidential directives have done little to halt the cycle of violence. Bemgba Iortyom, a Benue resident, said Officer Usman was a committed officer who “fought to the end to give his colleagues a chance to escape.”
Attacks have persisted in Benue since Tinubu’s June 18 visit. Within 48 hours of his departure, armed herders struck Wannune in Tarka LGA, burning homes and displacing residents. In August, nine people, including a police officer, were killed in Agatu LGA. Just a day before the Agu ambush, gunmen also killed a man and his son in Guma LGA.
“The killings never stopped. It feels like the government comes to mourn with us, then leaves us to die again,” said Christy Mngohol, a resident of Ukum, in a chat with Premium Times.
Community leaders say the persistence of attacks underscores the failure of authorities to protect citizens. “The terrorists are more organised than our security forces. That is the bitter truth,” said Aondofa Adzuu from Sankera.
