Armed herders kill 11 in fresh attack in Benue

Eleven people, including four police officers and seven civilians, have been killed in an attack on Ayilamo community in Tombo Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, the state police command has confirmed.

The attack reportedly occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, September 11, 2026, with residents alleging that the attackers entered the community through Alufu Road from neighbouring Taraba State.

The spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the casualties in a telephone interview on Friday.

“We lost four policemen and seven civilians during the attack and I will soon issue a statement,” Aondongu said.

A resident of the community, Tyolumun Ugande, told journalists that about 200 suspected armed herders invaded Ayilamo, shooting at residents and setting houses ablaze.

Ugande said a detachment of Mobile Police officers deployed to the community engaged the attackers, who he said were armed with sophisticated weapons.

According to him, the confrontation lasted several hours before the attackers retreated.

“After several hours of exchange of gun fire, the bandits retreated but on Friday morning four bodies of Mobile Police men and residents of the community were recovered in the bush,” he said.

The Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, Umishi Terungwa, corroborated the account, saying the attack took place between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday.

Terungwa described the incident as a devastating attack that left community members and security personnel dead.

He said the attack, which occurred on September 10, was attributed by residents to Fulani assailants.

“Among the victims were respected elders, community members and security personnel,” Terungwa said.

He identified some of the civilian victims as Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol, also known as Dodo, Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur, and Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku, popularly known as Bala.

He also said two children were among the civilian casualties.