From Attah Ede, Makurdi
Gunmen suspected to be bandits, in the early hours of Friday, launched an unprovoked attack on Ayilamo community, Tombo Ward Council in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, killing four mobile policemen and eight members of the community.
Ayilamo is a farming community located on the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari Road and has been under severe and repeated attacks by armed bandits.
The persistence of attacks on Ayilamo may not be unconnected with rumours that there are several mineral deposits within and around the Ayilamo community.
An eyewitness and resident of the community who identified himself as Tyolumun Ugande, said armed bandits numbering over 200 stormed Ayilamo from Alufu Road in Taraba State and advanced towards Ayilamo, shooting and burning houses.
According to him, a detachment of mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo engaged the bandits, who were armed with sophisticated weapons.
“The bandits invaded the community at about 2am and so, the policemen engaged them in gun duel. After several hours of exchange of gun fire, the bandits were repelled but this morning, four lifeless bodies of Mobile Police men were found in the bush.
“We also discovered 8 bodies of residents of Ayilamo who were killed by the bandits”, he said.
The Divisional Police Officer in charge of Ay Logo LGA in Ayilamo confirmed the killings and attack, saying reinforcement is being drafted to the area.
Another resident, James Udough, told our correspondent on the phone in Makurdi that this is the second time in one month that mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo have been eliminated.
According to him, the bandits were on the verge of setting the whole Ayilamo ablaze.
He called on the Benue and Federal Governments to help secure their land and lives.
When contacted, the Benue State Police Command Public Relations Officer, PPRO DSP Peter Orchia Aondongu, confirmed the incident, saying an official statement would soon be issued.
