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In a deadly attack on Thursday, armed bandits ambushed a joint police tactical team in Agu Centre, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area of Benue State, resulting in the deaths of several police officers and vigilantes. The operatives, drawn from Operation Whirl Stroke, Operation Zenda, the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), and local civil protection guards, were on patrol when the assault occurred.
The attackers, equipped with rocket-propelled grenades and heavy weapons, struck with devastating force. A police officer and two vigilantes were killed instantly, while the commander of the civil protection guard sustained gunshot injuries. Later, the bodies of two more police personnel and two additional vigilantes were recovered and deposited at the NKST Zaki Biam Hospital morgue.
The toll of the ambush remains grim, with at least five police officers and an unspecified number of vigilantes still missing. The attackers also torched two police patrol vehicles, including a gun truck, and disabled an Armoured Personnel Carrier, which was later recovered.
Reinforcements from the police and the Nigerian Army’s 401 Brigade have since joined the operation, though poor weather has hampered planned air support. Authorities are working to stabilize the situation and continue the search for the missing personnel.
This tragic incident underscores the ongoing security challenges in the region, as authorities intensify efforts to combat banditry and protect local communities. Further updates will be provided as the situation develops.
