Eleven people, including four police officers and seven civilians, were killed when suspected armed herders attacked Ayilamo community in Tombo Council Ward of Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, the Benue State Police Command has confirmed.

The attack reportedly occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday, September 11, 2026.
DSP Peter Aondongu, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed the casualties in a WhatsApp conversation with journalists on Friday.

“We lost four policemen and seven civilians during the attack,” Aondongu said, adding that an official statement would be issued.

The police confirmation puts the total number of confirmed fatalities at 11.
What residents say

A resident, Tyolumun Ugande, told journalists that a large group of suspected armed herders invaded the community, shooting at residents and setting houses on fire.

Ugande said a detachment of Mobile Police officers deployed to Ayilamo confronted the attackers, resulting in several hours of exchange of gunfire.

He said the attackers eventually retreated, after which the bodies of four Mobile Police officers and residents were recovered in surrounding bush areas on Friday morning.

The account could not independently establish the number of attackers involved.

Umishi Terungwa, Secretary of the Ayilamo Security Committee, also confirmed that the attack occurred between Thursday night and the early hours of Friday.

Terungwa described the incident as a devastating attack that resulted in the deaths of community members, elders and security personnel.

He identified some of the civilian victims as Baba Nyikyaa Mbanengen Agia, Mkohol Ahowe, Agah Saanmoyol, also known as Dodo, Baba Mlahaga Kpurkpur, Geoffrey Aondoakaa Gaku, also known as Bala, and two children.

The four Mobile Police officers were identified by community sources as ASP Paul Ina, Insp. Mohammed Yusuf, Insp. Oge Ikechukwu and Insp. Edeh Andrew.

Benue Info-pedia has not independently verified the individual identities of all the victims pending further official confirmation.

There was an initial discrepancy in the reported death toll.

Ugande initially reported 12 deaths, comprising four police officers and eight residents. However, the Benue State Police Command confirmed seven civilian deaths alongside the four police fatalities.

Benue Info-pedia is therefore using the police-confirmed figure of 11 deaths in this report.

The attack adds to continuing security concerns in parts of Benue State, particularly communities located around areas where residents report armed incursions and displacement.

Beyond the immediate loss of lives, attacks of this nature can disrupt farming, movement, local commerce and the security of rural communities.

The reported involvement of police personnel also underscores the risks faced by security officers deployed to protect vulnerable communities.

Benue Info-pedia will monitor official updates on the investigation, the identities of victims, possible arrests, property damage and the security situation in Ayilamo and surrounding communities.