The Police Command in Benue State has confirmed the killing of a mobile officer and four civilians by armed bandits at Abande, Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Edet Udeme, revealed this on Wednesday in Makurdi.
Udeme said the Divisional Police Officer, Jato-Aka, Kwande LGA, on February 3, received information that suspected armed bandits had attacked police personnel stationed at Abande community and members of the community.
The police spokesperson said during the confrontation one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured.
She said four members of the community also lost their lives to the attackers.
“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order.
“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary.
“In response to the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately proceed to Jato-Aka.
“He is directed to go with additional mobile force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect their arrest..”
