Four Mobile Police officers have reportedly been killed following a fresh attack by armed herders on Udei community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday afternoon.
Udei is located less than 15 minutes from Yelewata, another community that suffered a deadly invasion by bandits just over two weeks ago.
According to reports, the assailants launched the attack around 11 a.m. and attempted to advance towards Daudu. However, they were repelled by a joint force of security operatives and local youths.
The armed herders also stormed Asha community, firing shots and forcing farmers to flee. The violence spread toward Ortese, a settlement that houses thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).
A source revealed that military personnel stationed in the area responded swiftly, confronting the attackers in the surrounding bush and preventing further casualties in Ortese.
Confirming the incident, Mr. Matthew Mnyan, a local leader and former acting Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, said the attackers first struck Asha near Ortese, chasing residents from their farms before the soldiers intervened.
“The troops deployed an armoured vehicle and later reinforced with a second one. They battled the attackers for nearly an hour in the bush,” he recounted.
Mnyan added that the attackers also opened fire on Dudu, near Daudu, and later launched another coordinated assault on Udei around 2 p.m., during which four Mobile Policemen were killed in the crossfire.
He noted the persistent threat, stating, “They resurfaced in Ortese this evening. People are terrified. Even the IDPs are panicking and calling for increased security presence.”
This latest attack comes just over two weeks after a deadly raid in Yelewata claimed more than 200 lives, leaving many injured and displaced.
Attempts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, for comments were unsuccessful, as she did not respond to calls or text messages.
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