morganable news/security& justice
The four slain Mobile Police officers were identified as ASP Paul Ina, Inspector Mohammed Yusuf, Inspector Oge Ikechukwu, and Inspector Edeh Andrew
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No fewer than 11 persons, including four police officers and seven civilians, have been confirmed dead following an attack by suspected armed men on Ayilamo community in Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack, which reportedly occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, has heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of the state, with residents alleging that the assailants stormed the community through Alufu Road from neighbouring Taraba State.
Confirming the incident in a telephone interview on Friday, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said four police officers and seven civilians lost their lives during the assault.
“We lost four police officers and seven civilians during the attack, and I will soon issue a statement,” he said.
Residents of Ayilamo described the attack as coordinated and devastating, claiming that a large number of heavily armed men invaded the community, shooting indiscriminately and setting houses ablaze.
A resident, Tyolumun Ugande, told journalists that the attackers, estimated to be about 200 in number, launched the assault with sophisticated weapons, overwhelming the community.
According to him, a detachment of Mobile Police officers deployed to the area engaged the attackers in a fierce gun battle that lasted several hours.
“A detachment of Mobile Police officers deployed to Ayilamo confronted the bandits who were armed with sophisticated weapons,” Ugande said.
“After several hours of exchange of gunfire, the bandits retreated, but on Friday morning, four bodies of Mobile Police officers and residents of the community were recovered in the bush.”
Attacks Left Families Devastated
“On September 10, 2026, Ayilamo community suffered a devastating attack attributed to assailants, leaving multiple casualties,” he said.
“Among the victims were respected elders, community members and security personnel.”
Terungwa identified some of the civilian victims as Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol, also known as Dodo, Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur, Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku, popularly called Bala, as well as two children.
While initial reports from residents suggested a higher death toll of 12, including eight civilians, the police confirmed that seven civilians and four officers were killed in the incident.
The attack adds to a growing list of violent incidents in Benue State, where communities have repeatedly come under assault from armed groups, leading to loss of lives and displacement of residents.
Troops Eliminate 18 Terrorists
Meanwhile, in a separate development in the North-East, troops of Operation Hadin Kai have recorded a major operational success, killing no fewer than 18 terrorists during a coordinated air and ground assault in Borno State.
The operation, which targeted a high-level gathering of terrorist elements at Tumbunma Baba in the Tumbuns general area, was carried out in the early hours of Friday following weeks of intelligence gathering.
In a statement issued by the acting Military Information Officer of Operation Hadin Kai, Captain Mohammed Goni, the military said the mission was based on credible intelligence indicating that the location was being used as a convergence point for terrorist meetings and logistics coordination.
“The intelligence was validated through further surveillance by the theatre command and confirmatory intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance commencing on September 9, 2026,” the statement said.
He explained that after confirming the targets, air assets were deployed to strike the identified locations, while ground troops positioned themselves along possible escape routes to prevent fleeing suspects.
“The air platforms acquired and engaged the designated locations with precision, while ground troops occupied all likely escape routes for further direct fire engagements,” he said.
“The air strikes successfully destroyed the targeted structures and neutralised over 18 terrorist elements.”
The military described the outcome as a significant blow to terrorist activities in the region, noting that the operation disrupted logistics networks and reduced the ability of the insurgents to regroup.
A post-strike assessment indicated that about 85 per cent of the operation’s objectives were achieved, underscoring the effectiveness of intelligence-led operations and coordinated deployment of air and ground forces.
Goni reiterated the commitment of Operation Hadin Kai to sustaining pressure on terrorist groups in the North-East, adding that the military would continue to deny them freedom of movement and operational capacity.
He also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and provide timely and credible information to security agencies.
Troops FoilTerrorists Attacks In Kaduna, Zamfara
In the North-West, troops of the Joint Task Force under Operation Fansan Yamma also recorded successes in separate operations conducted in Kaduna and Zamfara states.
According to a statement by the JTF Media Information Officer, Lieutenant Colonel Aliyu Danja, troops in Kaduna State foiled a terrorist attack in Unguwan Gardago Village in Kaduna North Local Government Area.
Danja said the troops responded to a distress call after terrorists reportedly robbed residents of motorcycles and mobile phones and abducted a civilian.
He explained that the troops swiftly mobilised and laid an ambush along the escape route of the attackers, engaging them in a gunfight that forced them to abandon the stolen items and flee.
“Troops swiftly responded, mounted an ambush along the terrorists’ withdrawal route and engaged them, forcing the terrorists to flee and abandon the motorcycles and other items looted from residents,” he said.
Items recovered during the operation included three motorcycles, a PKT machine gun mechanism, and components of a pump-action firearm.
However, the abducted civilian was reportedly killed by the attackers, with troops later recovering the body and handing it over to his family.
In a separate operation in Zamfara State, troops responded to an attack on a commercial vehicle along the Anka-Gummi Road, where several passengers were abducted.
Danja said the troops engaged the terrorists, compelling them to abandon their captives and flee the scene.
“Troops subsequently rescued three kidnapped victims and recovered terrorist communication equipment,” he said.
The Joint Task Force reaffirmed its commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while intensifying operations aimed at dismantling terrorist networks across the region.
Security agencies have continued to call on citizens to support ongoing operations by reporting suspicious movements, as efforts to curb violence and restore stability in affected communities persist.
