Makurdi — Eight additional bodies of police officers killed in last Friday’s ambush by armed herdsmen and local militia in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State have been recovered.
The joint security team, comprising police personnel and members of the Benue State Civil Protection Guards (BSCPG), was ambushed during a clearance operation between Tse Agbami and Agu Centre, on the boundary with Ukum LGA.
About 16 officers were initially reported dead, with others missing after the attackers set ablaze operational trucks and made away with motorbikes.
Three bodies were recovered on Saturday, while search operations continued for the missing officers. On Sunday, eight more corpses were found.
Chairman of Katsina-Ala council, Justine Shaku, confirmed the discovery, saying it was made during an operation led by Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari.
“Eight more bodies of police officers were recovered on Sunday night, bringing the total to 11. The Commissioner of Police is here with me, though the atmosphere remains tense. We are, however, on top of the situation,” he said.
As of press time, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement on the attack.
