Police confirm officer, three others killed in Benue by suspected armed herdsmen

Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of a police officer and three others in Aondona Village, Gwer West Local Government Area, following an attack by suspected armed herdsmen.

The State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Sewuese Anene, disclosed this to journalists on Monday in Makurdi.

She said the attack happened in Aondona Village and that the officer died while defending residents during the assault.

“The police responded promptly when the incident in Aondona was reported. Three bodies were recovered, and an investigation is currently ongoing,” Anene stated.

She added that a police officer had earlier been killed while defending another village in the same local government area just hours before the Aondona attack.

Despite the police report, local residents claimed the attacks spanned across four communities, leaving more than 30 people dead, seven injured, and two kidnapped.

According to them, the violence has forced many to flee their homes, as such attacks have become a regular occurrence.

In neighboring Gwer East Local Government, residents of Mablim, bordering Aondona, have also fled to Taraku town for safety.

A local source reported that over 15 people were killed in Aondona alone, seven in Ahume, five in Tyolaha, six in Orbiam, while two individuals were kidnapped.

The source added that the armed herders began their onslaught in Aondona on Saturday evening and continued the attacks on Monday in Ahume and other nearby villages.