Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the entourage of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The attack occurred on Monday evening as the DPO and his team were returning to Ayilamo from Makurdi, where the police officer had travelled on official duty.
According to community sources, the officers were among newly deployed Mobile Police personnel assigned to the area. They reportedly came under attack at about 6pm while escorting the DPO back to the community.
The latest incident has heightened concerns over the safety of security personnel and residents in Ayilamo, coming only days after another deadly attack in the same community.
Four police officers and seven residents were reportedly killed in that earlier attack, according to community sources.
Confirming Monday’s incident, the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, DSP Peter Aondongu, said two officers attached to the DPO’s entourage were killed.
“The DPO came to Makurdi to collect some things, and while returning to Ayilamo, he was attacked and lost two of his men in the attack,” Aondongu said.
