Police officers in tactical gear respond to the attack where bandits killed 3 police inspectors and abducted 7.
…3 Police Inspectors have been killed by bandits in Benue while 7 others are missing
…Attack took place at Udei and Adaa communities in Guma Local Govt Area
…Police says Benue CP is leading operation to rescue missing officers, arrest fleeing suspects
…As IGP, Egbetokun condemns attack, describing it as cruel, unwarranted
By Sunday Ogli, Makurdi with agency report
At least three police inspectors, three villagers, have reportedly been killed by suspected armed herders at Udei and Adaa communities in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
A source in the area who spoke on condition of anonymity told our correspondent on phone, that the rampaging herders attempted invading the mega Internally displaced persons, IDPs camp at Abagena but were engaged by the combined team of security personnel stationed in the area
A family member of one of one of the slain police officers, told journalists in Makurdi, that his younger brother called his wife yesterday evening (Friday), that he would be coming back home from the special duty after other officers who were scheduled to take over from their team arrive in the area on Saturday.
The man who spoke on condition of anonymity said: ” My brother spoke with his wife at about this time yesterday, where he informed her that he would be coming back home today being Saturday.
“Later that night, my brother’s wife called the husband to inquire about the actual time he may be arriving in Makurdi, but he didn’t pick up his phone again after several calls only for the wife to receive another call at about 5:30am of today (Saturday) by a suspected Fulani herdsman through her husband’s phone.
“When she picked the call, the herder told her that her husband killed their cows and cows have also killed him. It is a terrific and heavy blow to our family”, he said
Meanwhile, Nigeria Police Force said it has arrested six suspects over the attack on its tactical teams by suspected armed bandits and local militia in Benue.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.
Mr Hundeyin said the suspects were arrested during an ongoing response operation in the state, following a deadly attack on the police teams at Agu Centre, Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government Area of the state.
He said the attack that occurred on Friday led to the death of three police officers, with seven others missing.
The police spokesman said the Commissioner of Police in charge of Benue, Innocent Emenari, was currently leading the operation to rescue the missing officers and arrest other fleeing suspects.
He said Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun condemned the attack, describing it as cruel, unwarranted, and an affront to the good people of Benue.
Mr Hundeyin said the IGP had ordered the deployment of additional tactical assets to the area, adding that no stone would be left unturned in restoring peace and security in Benue.
He said the arrested suspects are in police custody, assisting with useful information.
The police spokesman enjoined the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive to security agencies as efforts were being intensified to ensure the rescue of the missing personnel.
He said the target was also to apprehend the fleeing suspects and dismantle the criminal networks behind such reprehensible attacks.
