By Joy Yesufu
Two police officers were killed on Monday when gunmen ambushed the entourage of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The incident occurred as the DPO was returning to Ayilamo from Makurdi, where he had gone on an official assignment.
Sources in the community on Tuesday said that the officers were attacked at about 6pm while returning to Ayilamo to join the DPO’s entourage.
One of the sources, who requested anonymity because he was not authorised to speak on the incident, said the victims were among newly deployed Mobile Police officers in the community.
“At about 18:00 hours on Monday, some individuals identified as newly deployed Mobile Police officers to Ayilamo community were attacked and killed,” the source said.
The source added that the officers were on their way to escort the DPO back to Ayilamo from Makurdi when they came under attack.
Confirming the incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers were killed in the attack on the DPO’s entourage.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to carry some things and while going back to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
The latest attack comes days after suspected armed herders attacked Ayilamo community, killing four police officers and seven residents.
The police command is yet to disclose whether any arrests have been made or provide further details on the circumstances of Monday’s attack.
