MAKURDI, Benue State — The Benue State Police Command has officially confirmed a devastating attack by armed bandits in the Kwande Local Government Area, which resulted in the deaths of five individuals, including a serving police officer.
The incident, which occurred in the Abande community, represents a severe escalation of violence in a region persistently plagued by security challenges. Authorities have described the event as a coordinated assault on both security personnel and local residents.
Confirmed Details of the Attack
In a formal statement released on Wednesday in Makurdi, the Police Public Relations Officer for Benue State, Deputy Superintendent of Police Edet Udeme, provided a detailed account of the tragedy.
DSP Udeme stated that the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) stationed in Jato-Aka, Kwande LGA, received critical information on Monday, 3rd February. The report indicated that suspected armed bandits had launched a brazen attack on police personnel deployed to the Abande community and its inhabitants.
“During the confrontation, one Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF) in Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured,” the police spokesperson stated.
She further confirmed the grim toll on the civilian population: “Four members of the community also lost their lives as a result of the attack.”
Immediate and Strategic Response to Security Breach
In response to the security breach, the police command has initiated a significant counter-operation. DSP Udeme outlined the immediate steps taken to stabilise the situation and pursue the perpetrators.
“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, conduct a thorough search, and forestall further breakdown of law and order,” she said.
The deceased have been recovered and their bodies deposited at a mortuary for autopsy and subsequent release to their families.
Demonstrating the severity with which the command views the attack, the Commissioner of Police for Benue State, Mr. Ifeanyi Emenari, has issued decisive orders. He has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to proceed immediately to Jato-Aka.
The senior officer is mobilising with additional mobile force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations aimed at tracking the attackers and effecting their arrest.
Official Condolences and Assurance of Justice
The Benue State Police Command has extended its official condolences to the bereaved families and the entire Abande community.
“The Benue State Police Command commiserates with the families of the deceased and the Abande Community and assures the public that all necessary measures are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area,” DSP Udeme affirmed in her statement.
Analysis: Deepening Security Concerns in Benue’s Hinterlands
This attack underscores the persistent and complex security threats facing communities in Benue State, particularly in local government areas like Kwande. The targeting of a police officer on special duty indicates a direct challenge to state authority and security formations.
The deployment of Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) highlights the perceived level of threat and the determination of the police to mount a robust, visible response. Security analysts often point to the need for such reinforced, mobile deployments to dominate terrain and deter future incursions by armed groups.
Community Impact and Calls for Sustained Security
Attacks of this nature have profound psychological and social impacts on agrarian communities, fostering fear and disrupting livelihoods. The loss of an ASP, a mid-level officer often at the forefront of community policing and tactical operations, is a significant blow to local security architecture.
Residents of affected areas consistently call for more permanent, forward-operating security bases and increased intelligence-led operations to dismantle bandit networks before they strike.
Political and Broader Security Context
This incident occurs within the broader context of national security efforts to combat banditry, kidnapping, and related violent crimes across Nigeria’s North-Central region. State governments and federal security agencies continue to grapple with the multifaceted drivers of this insecurity, which include but are not limited to inter-communal tensions, economic deprivation, and the proliferation of small arms.
The Benue State Government has yet to release an official statement on this specific attack, but it is expected that the incident will prompt high-level security reviews.
Previous Incidents in Kwande LGA
Kwande LGA has experienced sporadic violence in the past, often linked to conflicts over resources and criminal banditry. This latest attack, however, marks a significant and tragic escalation in its fatality count and the specific targeting of security forces.
Conclusion: A Test of Resolve
The brutal ambush in Abande community presents a critical test for the reinforced security strategy in Benue State. The effectiveness of the ongoing manhunt and the ability to prevent similar attacks will be closely watched by residents and observers alike.
The police command’s pledge to bring the perpetrators to justice will require sustained operational tempo, community cooperation, and inter-agency collaboration. Elanza News will continue to monitor developments in this story and provide updates as more information becomes available from official sources.
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