Four Mobile Policemen Feared Killed in Fresh Herdsmen Attack in Benue

At least four Mobile Policemen have been feared killed following a fresh attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Udei community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday afternoon.

Naijaonpoint reports that the incident is coming barely two weeks after over 200 persons were reportedly killed in a similar attack on the nearby Yelewata community.

Eyewitnesses who spoke with Vanguard said the attackers stormed the Asha community around 11 am, shooting sporadically and forcing residents, including farmers, to flee.

The violence later escalated toward Ortese, home to thousands of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs).

A source revealed that the attackers also made an attempt to infiltrate Daudu, but were repelled by a combined team of security operatives and local youths.

“They invaded Asha, chased people off their farms, and moved toward Ortese. The military intervened with armoured vehicles and repelled them in the bush,” a local source told Vanguard.

Confirming the attack, a former acting Chairman of the Benue State Universal Basic Education Board, Matthew Mnyan, said soldiers stationed in Ortese responded swiftly.

Mnyan said, “The attack started at about 11am at Asha, very close to Ortese. Soldiers moved in with their armoured truck and engaged the attackers in the bush for over an hour.

“Later, they attempted to push into Dudu, just before Daudu. I immediately contacted the DPO, who moved his men in to repel them.”

In what appeared to be a coordinated onslaught, the attackers also struck the Udei community around 2 pm, where four Mobile Policemen were reportedly killed during an exchange of gunfire.

Mnyan further stated, “They attacked Udei around 2 pm. I was informed that four Mobile Policemen were gunned down in the shootout.

“Even now, there are reports that the attackers have reappeared at Ortese this evening. People are terrified, and IDPs are calling for more security.”

Residents of Ortese and surrounding communities remain on edge as night falls, with fears of further attacks growing.

“The Area Commander told me they had mobilised to Udei, but it is getting dark. The people are scared. Even the IDPs are making frantic calls for protection,” Mnyan said.

This fresh wave of violence adds to the escalating security crisis in Benue State, where repeated attacks by suspected herdsmen have left hundreds dead, thousands displaced, and communities deserted.