By Blessing Bature
The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) and four other persons during a fresh attack by gunmen on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of the state.
The ASP, attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, was said to be on special assignment in the community when the attack occurred. The remaining victims were residents of Abande.
Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Edet Udeme, said the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jato-Aka received a distress call on February 3 reporting that suspected armed bandits had attacked police personnel deployed to the area as well as civilians.
According to Udeme, the officer sustained fatal injuries during the assault, while four civilians also lost their lives.
She said security operatives have since been deployed to the community to prevent further violence and restore calm.
“Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to the area to secure the community, carry out a comprehensive search, and forestall any further breakdown of law and order.
“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” she stated.
Udeme added that the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Mr Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to take immediate control of the situation in Jato-Aka.
According to her, the Deputy Commissioner has been instructed to deploy additional mobile police personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to intensify operations, track down the attackers, and ensure their arrest.
She said the Benue State Police Command sympathised with the families of the deceased and the Abande community, assuring residents that decisive steps are being taken to bring the perpetrators to justice and restore peace to the area.
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