POLICE REPEL ATTACKS BY SUSPECTED HERDSMEN BANDITS IN BENUE STATE

The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that police tactical units repelled attacks by suspected herdsmen bandits on Udei and Yelwata communities in Guma Local Government Area, resulting in six casualties. The attacks occurred on Monday, August 11, 2025, with the first incident happening at about 5 a.m. in Udei town and the second at around 7 a.m. in Yelwata town.

DSP Udeme Edet, Police Public Relations Officer, said in a statement that the police tactical units deployed to Udei engaged the attackers in a gun battle, forcing them to flee through the border forest. Udeme Edet noted that the police tactical team in Yelwata, alongside other security agents, intercepted another group of armed men heading towards Yelwata town and repelled the attack after an exchange of gunfire.

Unfortunately, when security operatives pursued the assailants into the forest, it was discovered that they had earlier attacked farmers on the outskirts of the village. Three people sustained serious injuries and were taken to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital for treatment, while three others were confirmed dead.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Emenari Ifeanyi, commiserated with the families of the deceased and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to combating criminality in the state. “He also expressed appreciation to the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for deploying tactical teams and providing logistics to enhance security operations,” Udeme Edet said. CP Ifeanyi further commended Yelwata women for their understanding in shelving planned protests after being addressed by top state officials and security commanders.

Udeme Edet urged residents, particularly youths, to continue supporting security agencies with timely information and to remain law-abiding. CP Ifeanyi also encouraged the good people of Yelwata to continue supporting the Police and all the other security agencies deployed to provide security in their areas with relevant information.