Bandits Kill Four Mobile Policemen, Eight Civilians in Fresh Attack on Ayilamo, Benue

Logo, Benue State — At least four mobile policemen and eight residents were killed on Thursday night when over 200 armed bandits launched a coordinated attack on Ayilamo, a farming community in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Ayilamo lies along the volatile Abinsi–Tyulen–Anyiin–Wukari Road, a route that has witnessed repeated assaults over the past two years.

—How the attack unfolded—

According to residents, the attackers entered the community at about 9:30pm from the Alufu axis of Taraba State.

Witness Tyolumun Ugande was quoted in a report by THE NATION to have said that the gunmen stormed Ayilamo in waves, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses ablaze as they advanced.

“More than 200 armed bandits came in through Alufu Road. They were shooting and burning houses. It was chaos,” Ugande said.

A detachment of mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted several hours. Security sources said the bandits were armed with sophisticated weapons, including AK-47 rifles and explosives.

By dawn on Friday, September 11, residents combing the bush recovered the bodies of four policemen who were killed during the firefight.

Ugande added: “We also discovered eight bodies of residents of Ayilamo who were killed by the bandits. Many houses were burnt and families are now displaced.”

—Second deadly attack in a month—

The Divisional Police Officer in Ayilamo confirmed the attack and the casualties, stating that a request for reinforcement had been made to the Benue State Police Command.

Another resident, James Udough, said this was the second time in one month that mobile policemen stationed in Ayilamo were killed by bandits.

“The bandits have been trying to set the whole Ayilamo ablaze for more than two years now. We call on the Benue and Federal Governments to help secure our land and lives,” Udough told The Nation.

–‘Mineral deposits and repeated attacks—

Security analysts in Logo LGA say the persistent attacks on Ayilamo may not be random. The community and its environs are believed to sit on *large mineral deposits*, a factor that has fueled land disputes and drawn the attention of armed groups seeking control of mining areas.

As of Friday evening, troops and police reinforcements had been deployed to Ayilamo and surrounding villages. Joint patrols were ongoing to track the fleeing attackers and prevent further incursions.

The Benue State Government is yet to issue an official statement on the latest killings.

Human rights groups have again called for increased federal security presence along the Benue–Taraba border, describing Ayilamo as “one of the most vulnerable communities in the North Central.”

The latest attack brings the number of civilians and security personnel killed in Logo LGA this year to over 40, according to local tally.