Barely a week after IGP Kayode Egbetokun upgraded Ayilamo police station in Logo local government area of Benue to a divisional police station, suspected armed herders have killed four people in the area.
The incident was said to have occurred on Monday when attackers invaded farmlands and deserted settlements around Tse Mku, Ayilamo.
Matthew Nyiyongu, a resident of the community, said properties were destroyed during the attack.
Another community leader, Joseph Anawah, said two farmers — Kaananfam Nyamikume of Tse Jigam village and Mson from Guma LGA — were killed on their farms.
He added that a medicine vendor and one Saaondo Azaye of Tse Azaye village were also killed.
“Suspected Fulani marauders at about 15:00 hours burnt down many deserted settlements, including Tse Mku in Tombu council ward. While one Mr Saaondo Mundu Azaye, a resident of Tse Azaye, was also killed,” Anawah told Premium Times.
He said residents who went in search of missing persons on Tuesday discovered two bodies near Tse Uza settlement, while others remain missing.
The attackers were said to have been camped in Tse Ibor, Tse Ukpukuru, and other deserted settlements within the Mbawien clan, fuelling tension among locals despite the recent police restructuring.
Last week, the Benue police command announced the creation of two new area commands and the upgrade of five police stations, including Ayilamo, to divisional status.
The command said the restructuring was meant to “close geographical gaps” and ensure quicker responses to farmer-herder clashes and other security challenges.
Residents, however, say the latest killings have raised doubts about the effectiveness of the new arrangement in tackling persistent insecurity in Logo and surrounding communities.