Reported by: Oahimire Omone Precious | Edited by: Bornet .k
Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia has commended the Department of State Services for arresting three suspects allegedly connected to the deadly attack on Ayilamo community in Logo Local Government Area of the state.
Governor Alia issued the statement on Friday, 11 September 2026, following the Thursday attack on Ayilamo community in Tombo Council Ward, Logo Local Government Area, Benue State.
In a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor condemned the attack and described it as a grave threat to the security and stability of Benue State.
The governor said the attack resulted in the deaths of innocent residents, including four police officers. The Benue State Police Command had earlier confirmed the deaths of four mobile police officers and seven civilians.
Police said the attackers entered Ayilamo in large numbers on Thursday. Personnel of the Police Mobile Force, tactical teams and conventional police officers were deployed to the community.
According to the Benue police command, the security personnel engaged the attackers in an operation that lasted about seven hours.
The police said the officers defended the community and repelled the attackers, forcing them to retreat into surrounding forests in the early hours of Friday, 11 September.
Four police officers died during the operation. Their bodies were recovered during search-and-rescue operations in the bushes around the community.
Police also recovered the bodies of seven civilians after the attack. The bodies were deposited at a mortuary for necessary procedures.
The DSS arrested three suspects in connection with the attack, according to the governor’s statement. The names of the suspects and the allegations against each person were not released.
Governor Alia described the arrests as a significant development in efforts to establish the full circumstances surrounding the Ayilamo attack.
He asked the DSS to intensify its investigation and make use of information obtained from the suspects in custody.
The governor said every available lead should be followed in order to identify and arrest other people connected with the attack, including alleged accomplices, sponsors and collaborators.
He said anyone found culpable should face the full weight of the law after investigation and due process.
Governor Alia described the killing of four law-enforcement officers as particularly painful and said their deaths reflected the sacrifices made by security personnel in the course of duty.
He paid tribute to the officers, saying they died while protecting residents of Ayilamo community.
The governor also commiserated with the Inspector-General of Police and the Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, over the deaths of the officers.
He extended condolences to the people of Ayilamo, the families of all victims and the people of Logo Local Government Area.
Governor Alia said the state government stood with the families of the victims during the period of mourning.
He called on residents of Ayilamo and surrounding communities to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding as the investigation continues.
The governor urged residents to provide credible and timely information to security agencies and asked them to avoid actions that could increase tension or interfere with investigations.
The Benue State Police Command said additional tactical teams had been mobilised and deployed to Ayilamo following the attack.
The command said it was working with other security agencies to strengthen security arrangements and sustain operations in the affected area.
The attack on Ayilamo occurred amid continuing security concerns in rural parts of Benue State, where armed attacks have affected communities, security personnel, farmers and displaced families.
Ayilamo community is located in the Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area. Residents said the attackers entered the community through the Alufu Road axis from neighbouring Taraba State.
A community resident, Tyolumun Ugande, said the attackers fired weapons and burned houses during the attack. He said mobile police officers deployed to Ayilamo confronted the armed group.
Ugande said the attackers withdrew after hours of gunfire. He said the bodies of four mobile police officers and eight residents were found in the bush on Friday morning.
The police command’s official account recorded seven civilian deaths. The difference between the police and community casualty figures has not been resolved publicly.
The Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, Umishi Terungwa, said the attack began on the night of 10 September and continued into the early hours of 11 September.
Terungwa named several of the civilian victims as Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol, known as Dodo, Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur and Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku, known as Bala.
Community sources also said two children were among those killed. Their identities were not publicly released.
The four mobile police officers were identified by community sources as Paul Ina, Mohammed Yusuf, Oge Ikechukwu and Edeh Andrew.
The police command said the officers and other personnel involved in the operation displayed courage and resilience in defending the community.
Governor Alia said his administration was working with security agencies to strengthen security in Ayilamo, Logo and other vulnerable communities across Benue State.
He said the state government supported efforts to protect residents, restore peace and provide attention to affected communities.
The investigation into the attack remains ongoing. The three people arrested by the DSS remain suspects, and their arrests do not amount to a finding of guilt.
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