The Nigeria Police Force has announced the arrest of six individuals linked to the assault on a joint security patrol team in Benue State, an attack that tragically claimed the lives of 16 security operatives.
Force Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin revealed in an official statement that three police officers were killed during the incident, while seven others remain unaccounted for. He added that the Benue State Command’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, is spearheading efforts to locate the missing officers and apprehend those responsible.
Hundeyin explained, “The suspects were detained amid ongoing security operations in Benue State following a violent attack on Police Tactical Teams by suspected armed herdsmen and local militia groups at Agu Centre, within the Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government Area.”
He further detailed, “The assault, which took place on Friday, September 19, 2025, resulted in the deaths of three police officers, with seven others still missing. The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) has deployed additional tactical units to accelerate the capture of the perpetrators.”
The Force PRO quoted IGP Kayode Egbetokun condemning the attack in the strongest terms, labeling it as brutal, unjustifiable, and a direct affront to the people of Benue State. He confirmed that the suspects currently in custody are cooperating with authorities by providing valuable intelligence. The IGP has also ordered the deployment of more tactical resources to the area, vowing to exhaust all measures to restore peace and security.
“The Inspector-General calls on the public to stay calm, remain alert, and support security agencies as they intensify efforts to rescue missing personnel, capture fleeing suspects, and dismantle the criminal networks behind these heinous acts,” the statement added.
Reports indicate that over 16 security operatives were killed by armed assailants, believed to be herdsmen and local bandits, during a clearance operation in Agu community, located in the Mbatyula/Mberev Council Ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
A local source, who identified himself as Denen, informed our correspondent that the victims were members of ‘Operation Anyam Nyor,’ a joint security task force established by the Benue State Government, comprising police officers and personnel from the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
Denen described the aftermath, stating, “Several surviving security personnel sustained various injuries, while numerous others, including the team leader, were captured alive. The attackers also set fire to the vehicles transporting the officers and seized their motorcycles.”
He added that the security team, numbering over 90 and led by Assistant Superintendent of Police Danlami Usman, also known as Dan Zuru, was deployed to the area to flush out armed herdsmen who had reportedly invaded the community in large numbers.
According to the source, “The armed herdsmen reportedly allied with local militia groups, amassing up to 1,000 fighters, and ambushed the security team between Tse Agbami and Agu Centre, near the Katsina-Ala border with Ukum Local Government Area.”
“Tragically, the security personnel walked into the ambush, and in the ensuing gunfight, over 16 members of the team were fatally shot,” he added.
When reached for comment, Justine Shaku, chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, confirmed the attack, describing it as unprovoked. He noted that the security operatives were on routine patrol when they were ambushed in broad daylight, resulting in multiple fatalities.
Shaku acknowledged that the exact death toll remains uncertain as some personnel are still conducting searches for the missing officers in the surrounding bush.
The chairman emphasized that the incident clearly indicates the herders intended to wage war, enlisting local bandits from Sanders to launch the attack on the patrol team at Agu Centre in Mbatula/Mberev Council Ward.
He stated, “I am currently with the Commissioner of Police, and his team is actively combing the area to locate the missing personnel.”
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Udeme Edet said an official statement would be released shortly.
