The Nigeria Police Force has arrested six suspects over the attack and killings of six personnel of the Police Tactical Team by suspected armed herdsmen and local militias at Agu Centre, Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government, Benue State.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyi, said the attack, which occurred on Friday, September 19, resulted in the death of three police officers, while seven others are still missing.
However, according to report, over 16 officers were killed while many were reported missing in an ambush by suspected armed herdsmen supported by local militia gangs during an operation at Agu Centre, a rural settlement in Mbatyula/Mberev Council Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, LG, of Benue state.
Some of the security personnel who survived the attack sustained injuries while the trucks conveying them were burnt in the offensive and motorbikes carted away.
According to a source in the area, among those killed were personnel of the state established Operation ‘Anyam Nyor’, a Joint Security Task Force which had police personnel and members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG).
The source explained that the security team numbering over 90 led by an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Danlami Usman, also known as Dan Zuru, who is dreaded by criminals in the area, was moving into the general area to flush out armed herdsmen who stormed the area in large numbers, when they were ambushed.
“The armed herdsmen joined forces with known local militia gangs in the communities and they were close to 1,000 in number. Unknown to the security team, the criminals laid ambush for them between Tse Agbami and Agu Center in Katsina-Ala LG on the border with Ukum LG.
“They drove into the ambush and during the exchange of gunfire, they killed over 16 members of the security team and took several others away, including their leader, a popular and dreaded Assistant Superintendent of Police, Danlami Usman, also known as Dan Zuru, who had overtime been leading the onslaughts against bandits and armed herdsmen in Sankera axis made up of Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala LGs.
“They took him away and we have been calling his line but the person that picks the call speaks a different language.
“It is a sad day for us in Sankera because he was the one who had been at the forefront of fighting bandits and armed herdsmen in this part of the state. Criminals, bandits and armed herdsmen were scared of him. His demise will pose a major security challenge for our people. It is a tragedy.”
Contacted, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala LG, Justine Shaku who confirmed the incident also posted the development on his verified social media handle. saying that a joint military clearance operation was carried out around the Agu Center general area in Mbatula/Mberev Council Ward, Katsina-Ala LG on Friday.
The statement by Force PRO, Hundeyin said the arrested suspects, who are currently in custody are assisting the police with useful information in its investigation just as the IGP has directed the deployment of additional tactical assets to the area to restore peace and security.
Part of the statement said: “The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Innocent Ifeanyi Emenari, is currently leading the operation geared towards rescuing the missing officers and arresting the fleeing suspects.
“The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, condemned the attack, describing it as cruel, unwarranted and an affront on the good people of Benue State.
“The arrested suspects are in custody and assisting with useful information. Equally, the IGP has directed the deployment of additional tactical assets to the area and assured that no stone will be left unturned in restoring peace and security in Benue state.”
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and supportive of security agencies, as the force continues to intensify efforts towards rescuing missing personnel, apprehending fleeing suspects, and dismantling the criminal networks behind such reprehensible attacks.
Credit: The Sun