Tears as gunmen kill 4 mobile policemen, 8 residents of Benue community

The quiet farming community of Ayilamo in Logo Local Government Area of ​​Benue State has been thrown into mourning after gunmen killed four mobile policemen and at least eight residents in a fresh attack.

The attack, which occurred on Thursday, heightened fears among residents who have suffered repeated attacks by armed men in the area.

Ayilamo, in Tombo Municipal District and located on the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari Road, was reportedly overrun by more than 200 armed men who approached via the Alufu Road axis of Taraba State.

One resident, Tyolumun Ugande, told reporters that the attackers opened fire indiscriminately and set houses on fire as they advanced through the community.

Ugande said a detachment of mobile police officers confronted the attackers, resulting in a fierce firefight that lasted several hours before the gunmen retreated.

He said the bodies of four MoPol officers were discovered in the bush on Friday morning, along with eight residents killed in the attack.

The four slain officers of MoPol 32, Ebonyi, have been identified as ASP Paul Ina, Inspector Mohammed Yusuf, Inspector Oge Ikechukwu and Inspector Edeh Andrew.

Other victims identified included community elders Baba Nyikyaa, Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol (Dodo), Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur, Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku (Bala) and two children.

Another resident, James Udough, said the latest incident was the second time in a month that mobile policemen deployed in the community were killed, adding that bandits had been trying to set fire to Ayilamo for more than two years.

The secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, who confirmed the attack and casualties, said the community had repeatedly called for beefed up security without adequate protection.

According to Umishi Terungwa, Tombo Municipal District Security Secretary, the repeated attacks have taken a heavy toll on both civilians and security personnel, with the number of MoPol officers killed in the area at different times and locations now reportedly reaching 22.

Residents have appealed to the federal and Benue state governments to urgently beef up security in the area, while claims that the attacks may be linked to suspected mineral deposits around Ayilamo remain unverified.