Benue: Two Police Officers Killed as Gunmen Ambush DPO’s Convoy in Ayilamo

Benue: Two Police Officers Killed as Gunmen Ambush DPO’s Convoy in Ayilamo

Two newly deployed Mobile Police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ayilamo Police Division in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred at about 6pm on Monday, September 14, 2026, as the DPO was returning to Ayilamo from Makurdi, where he had travelled on official duty.

The Benue State Police Command confirmed that two officers in the DPO’s entourage were killed in the ambush. Their identities had not been publicly released as of the latest reports.

The latest incident occurred just four days after another deadly attack on Ayilamo in which four Mobile Police officers and seven civilians were killed, according to the police.

The earlier attack began at about 6:12pm on Thursday, September 10, when suspected armed bandits invaded the community. Police Mobile Force personnel, tactical teams and conventional police officers responded and engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted about seven hours.

The police said the security personnel eventually repelled the attackers, forcing them to withdraw into surrounding forests in the early hours of September 11. The bodies of the four slain officers and seven civilians were subsequently recovered.

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The four officers killed in that earlier attack were identified as Paul Ina, Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.

Residents gave a different account of the attackers, with some alleging that a large number of suspected armed herders entered the community from the direction of Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State. They also reported shootings and the burning of houses during the assault.

The police, however, have generally referred to the attackers as suspected armed bandits, while the identities and affiliations of those responsible have not been conclusively established.

The latest ambush brings the number of police officers killed in attacks around Ayilamo within four days to six, based on the police-confirmed casualties from the two incidents.

Residents have expressed concern over the presence of armed men in forests and abandoned settlements around Tombo Council Ward, where Ayilamo is located.

The repeated violence has renewed concerns about the safety of residents and security personnel in Logo Local Government Area, particularly communities located close to forested areas and routes vulnerable to armed ambushes.

The Ayilamo Police Station was upgraded to a divisional headquarters in August 2025 as part of efforts to strengthen police response in vulnerable communities across Benue.

Despite the upgrade and increased security presence, Ayilamo has continued to experience deadly attacks, highlighting the security challenges confronting communities in the area.

The Benue Police Command had earlier announced the deployment of additional tactical personnel following the September 10 attack. The command also said it was working with other security agencies to strengthen operations and protect residents in affected communities.

There was also a development concerning the welfare of police families following the recent deaths.

On Tuesday, September 15, the Benue State Police Command presented insurance cheques to families of police officers who had died in the line of duty.

Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu, while presenting the cheques in Makurdi, conveyed the condolences of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to the bereaved families.

He said the financial benefits could not replace the lives lost but were intended to provide some relief and support, particularly for the welfare of the officers’ children.

Meanwhile, authorities have not publicly announced the identities of those responsible for the latest ambush or disclosed arrests directly connected to the September 14 attack.

There have, however, been arrests linked to the earlier September 10 Ayilamo attack. Governor Hyacinth Alia recently commended the Department of State Services (DSS) over the arrest of three suspects allegedly connected with that attack.

The arrests relate to the earlier incident and do not by themselves establish that the same suspects carried out the latest ambush.

The two attacks within four days have increased pressure on security agencies to intensify surveillance and operations around Ayilamo and surrounding forested areas.

The latest killings have also highlighted the risks faced by police officers deployed to conflict-prone and remote communities, where armed groups can exploit difficult terrain and isolated settlements.

The investigation into the latest Benue attack is expected to focus on identifying the attackers, establishing how the DPO’s convoy was ambushed and preventing further attacks on security personnel and civilians in Logo LGA.

Benue: Two Police Officers Killed as Gunmen Ambush DPO’s Convoy in Ayilamo