At least 12 people have reportedly been killed in a fresh attack on Ayilamo community in Tombola Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims were said to include four Mobile Policemen and eight residents who died after suspected armed herdsmen invaded the farming community.
A resident, Tyolumu Ugande, said more than 200 armed men allegedly entered Ayilamo through Alufu Road in Taraba State before advancing into the community.
According to him, the attackers reportedly opened fire and set several houses ablaze before engaging Mobile Policemen deployed to the area.
The gun battle reportedly lasted for several hours before the attackers retreated. Four bodies of the Mobile Policemen were later discovered in the bush on Friday morning. Eight residents were also reportedly found dead following the attack.
The Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee confirmed the incident and said the community had requested additional security personnel to protect residents.
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Another resident, James Ugah, said the latest incident was the second time in one month that Mobile Policemen deployed to Ayilamo had reportedly been killed.
He said the community had suffered repeated attacks for more than two years and appealed to the Benue State and Federal Governments to take urgent steps to protect lives and property.
Ugah further alleged that the attacks might be linked to rumours of significant mineral deposits in and around Ayilamo.
However, efforts to obtain an official response from the spokesperson of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Orchia Aondogwu, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing the report.
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