Benue security commander killed in gun battle with armed bandits

A Unit Commander of the Benue State Joint Security Taskforce, Operation Zenda, has been killed in a fierce gunfight with suspected armed bandits in the Sankera axis of the state.

The clash, which lasted over 12 hours, resulted in the death of 11 bandits, who had been terrorizing communities in Katsina-Ala, Ukum, and Logo local government areas—hotspots for criminal activities such as banditry and kidnappings.

While the security forces successfully neutralized the criminals, the loss of the police officer highlights the ongoing security challenges in the region.

A source who pleaded anonymity said that the slain officer was an Inspector of Police who was heading the unit command of Operation Zenda in the area.

According to the source, officers of Zenda operatives on Tuesday, raided a militia hideout in the area and on sighting the police, the bandits opened fire on them, gunning down the Unit Commander in the process.

Eleven members of the deadly group were were also neutralised by the superior fire power of the police.

The source narrated that officers of Operation Zenda stationed in the area received a distress call from the locals, informing than that a militia were attacking people in the surrounding communities and they quickly mobilised and rushed to the bandits’ hideout where gun battle ensued upon sighting the security agents.

“The police overpowered the bandits in the gun battle that started on Tuesday night till Wednesday morning, killing 11 bandits on the spot, while other members of the gang fled into the nearby bushes,” our source narrated.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Benue State Command, Catherine Anene who confirmed the incident, however, said she was yet to get the details.

She promised to get back to our correspondent whenever she has the details of the incident.