Four mobile officers and eight residents have been reportedly killed following a vicious attack on Ayilamo community in Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
This medium understand that the unfortunate incident occurred on Friday morning when gunmen invaded the farming settlement.
The attackers, said to be more than 200 in number, reportedly stormed the community through Alufu Road in neighbouring Taraba State before moving towards Ayilamo, where they allegedly opened fire on residents and set several houses ablaze.
Ayilamo, situated along the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari road, over time has suffered repeated attacks, prompting residents to call for a stronger security presence in the area.
A resident, Tyolumun Ugande, told journalists in Makurdi that mobile policemen stationed in the community engaged the attackers in a gun battle.
According to him, the confrontation began on Thursday night and continued for several hours before the criminal elements withdrew.
Ugande said the bodies of four policemen were found in the bush on Friday morning, while eight villagers were also discovered dead following the attack.
He added that several houses were burnt during the invasion.
Another resident, James Udough, said the latest incident marked the second time in a month that mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo had reportedly been killed by the attackers.
“The bandits have been trying to set the whole of Ayilamo ablaze for more than two years now. We call on security personnel, the Benue State Government and the Federal Government to help secure our land and lives,” he said.
Some residents further linked the recurring attacks to rumours surrounding the presence of substantial mineral deposits in and around Ayilamo.
The command in Benue State is yet to issue an official statement in respect to the development.
