Eleven people, including four police officers and seven civilians, have been killed in an attack on the Ayilamo community in the Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the casualties on Friday, saying the victims comprised four Mobile Police officers and seven residents.
The attack reportedly occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, September 11, 2026, with residents alleging that the assailants entered the community through Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Peter Aondongu, confirmed the incident in a telephone interview, saying, “We lost four policemen and seven civilians during the attack and I will soon issue a statement.”
A resident of the community, Tyolumun Ugande, had earlier 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 in a gun battle.
He said, “A detachment of Mobile Policemen deployed to Ayilamo confronted the bandits who were armed with sophisticated weapons.
“After several hours of exchange of gunfire, the bandits retreated, but on Friday morning, four bodies of Mobile Police men and residents of the community were recovered in the bush.”
The Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, Umishi Terungwa, also confirmed the attack, describing it as devastating.
Terungwa said the assault occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday and was allegedly carried out by Fulani assailants.
He said the victims included community elders, residents, and security personnel.
Terungwa identified some of the civilian victims as Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol, popularly known as Dodo, Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur, Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku, also known as Bala, and two children.
The four Mobile Police officers killed in the attack were identified as ASP Paul Ina, Inspector Mohammed Yusuf, Inspector Oge Ikechukwu, and Inspector Edeh Andrew.
While Ugande had earlier put the death toll at 12, comprising four policemen and eight civilians, the police subsequently confirmed that 11 people were killed—four police officers and seven civilians.
The attack has heightened concerns over the security situation in the affected communities, with residents urging authorities to strengthen security presence in the area and prevent further attacks.
