Two police personnel and 13 Civilians were killed on Thursday August 8th killed when a large number of armed bandits invaded Ayati village in
Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State.
The bandits were said to have shot sporadically at members of the Community, leaving 15 persons with life threatening gunshots injuries, alongside two police personnel who responded to a distress call and repelled the bandits, were fatally injured in the attack.
The spokesperson for the Nigeria Police Command in Benue State, SP. Sewuese Catherine Anene, confirmed death of 15 persons, including the personnel on arrival at the hospital in Benue.
SP Anene disclosed this on Friday in a statement, issued on behalf of the Commissioner of Police in Benue State Command, CP. Hassan Steve Yabanet.
The statement revealed that CP Yabanet visited the scene of crime in Ayati village for on-the-spot assessment of the situation.
The statement recalled that: “On 08/08/2024 at about 1630hrs while normal daily activities where going on in Ayati village, Ukum Local Government Area of Benue state, a large number of armed bandits invaded the village and started shooting sporadically at members of the community. Police officers with in the community responded immediately and were able to repel the bandits .
“However, fifteen (15) people had already sustained gunshot injuries from the attack and were confirmed dead on arrival at the hospital.
“The unfortunate incident also claimed the lives of two (2) police officers who were among the team that responded to the distress call. Corpses have been deposited at General Hospital Ukum and investigation is ongoing”, SP Anene said.
The CP commended gallant officers for their response and encouraged police personnel not to give up on the operation, assuring that more teams have been sent to the area for a wider coverage and better engagement of bandits.
The police boss also commiserated with families of the deceased, whose bodies have been deposited at General Hospital Ukum, and assured them of his commitment to fight criminals in the area.
“The Commissioner of Police, CP. Hassan Steve Yabanet FCID, Psc (+) visited Ayati for on the spot assessment of the situation. While commiserating with families of the deceased, he assured them of his commitment to fight criminals in the area”, according to the police statement.
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