Suspected herdsmen, bandits ambush police tactical teams in Benue, k!ll officers, vigilantes

Armed bandits have ambushed a joint team of security operatives in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, leaving several casualties.

Zagazola Makama learnt that the incident occurred on Sept. 19 at Agu Centre, Katsina-Ala.

Sources said the tactical teams, comprising personnel of Operation Anyam Nyor, Operation Zenda, Special Intervention Squad (SIS) and civil protection guards, were on patrol when they ran into the ambush.

“The attackers, armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and heavy weapons, engaged the operatives in a prolonged gun battle.

“The commander of the civil protection guard was shot in the hand, while one police officer and two local vigilantes were killed instantly.

“Later in the day, two more bodies of police officers attached to Operation Zenda and Anyam Nyor, as well as two local vigilantes, were recovered and deposited at NKST Zaki Biam Hospital morgue,”said sources.

According to the sources, five police personnel and an unconfirmed number of vigilantes remain unaccounted for as of the time of filing this report.

The sources said two police patrol vehicles, including a gun truck attached to Operation Zenda Joint Task Force, were set ablaze by the attackers, while an SIS Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) was demobilised but later recovered with its crew safe.

The sources added that reinforcements of police tactical teams and troops of the Nigerian Army’s 401 Brigade had joined the operation and were still engaging the militants.

The sources said that unfavourable weather conditions prevented the deployment of Nigerian Air Force support.