Police confirm 13 killed in Benue attack, blame cattle rustlers

By Ayorinde Oluokun

The Police have blamed cattle rustlers for Tuesday’s killing of 13 people in Efeyi community in Ugboju District of Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue state.

The spokesperson for Benue Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday while confirming number of people killed in the attack.

He also disclosed that two of the suspected bandits were killed during a counteroperation with one AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of ammunition recovered from the suspects.

According to Edet, the gunmen had invaded the community to steal cattle belonging to a resident, Peter Ambulus.

But he said the gunmen opened fire on farmers they encountered while fleeing with the stolen livestock.

The Benue Police spokesperson said the gunmen eventually shot 13 people dead and escaped with 20 rustled cattle.

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the armed bandits invaded the community with the sole intention of rustling cattle belonging to one Peter Ambulus, a native of the area.

“While escaping with the rustled cattle, the assailants opened fire on farmers they encountered in the bush.

“Regrettably, thirteen persons lost their lives during the attack, while the hoodlums successfully rustled 20 cattle,” the statement read.

Edet said Benue Police Commissioner, Cletus Nwadiogbu, led tactical teams on a clearance operation to the community following the attack.

It added that the operatives came under gunfire during the operation but successfully repelled the attackers.

“At the end of the operation, two of the suspected bandits were neutralised, while one AK-47 rifle and 15 rounds of ammunition were recovered,” he said in the statement.

The spokesperson said operation was ongoing, with security personnel combing nearby forests and neighbouring communities to arrest fleeing suspects, recover the stolen cattle and ensure those responsible for the attack are brought to justice.

The command also assured residents that efforts were being intensified to restore peace and strengthen security across the affected community and surrounding areas.

Some residents of the village had earlier claimed that 15 people were killed in the attack which occurred in the early hours of Tuesday.

Benue governor Hyacinth Alia had in a statement late Tuesday described the attack by gunmen on the community as unfortunate.

He also vowed that those responsible would be brought to justice.

This is contained in a statement issued on Tuesday in Makurdi by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Tersoo Kula.

Alia also commended the Benue Police Command for its swift response to the incident.

He said the police neutralised two suspected armed bandits believed to have participated in the attack while pursuing the fleeing assailants.

The Benue governor reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to supporting security agencies in eliminating criminal elements and safeguarding lives and property across the state.

He warned that those seeking to displace Benue residents and occupy their ancestral lands would not succeed.

The governor said: “Benue land is for Benue people. Those who think they can come, push people away, and take over should think twice.

“Our people are peaceful and hardworking. I was elected to protect them, and I must do everything legitimately possible to ensure my people are protected and our land is secured.”