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The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that four suspected bandits were killed during a fierce gun battle with security operatives in Orokam, Ogbadibo Local Government Area of the state.
In a statement issued on Friday by the command’s spokesperson, SP Udeme Edet, the operatives of Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) neutralized the suspects on Thursday, January 29, 2026, while repelling an armed attack during a routine stop-and-search operation.
According to the police, the incident occurred around 1700 hours when officers at a checkpoint in Orokam intercepted a black Golf 3 vehicle. During the search, the occupants violently resisted arrest. In a desperate bid to escape, two of the suspects produced AK-47 rifles and opened fire on the police team.
The ensuing exchange of gunfire resulted in four armed bandits being neutralized, while one suspect managed to flee into nearby bushes. Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the fleeing suspect, the statement added.
Items recovered from the scene included one AK-47 rifle, a magazine loaded with 15 rounds of live ammunition, the suspects’ vehicle, and various items believed to be criminal charms.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, commended the officers for their bravery, professionalism, and swift response. He reassured residents of the command’s unwavering commitment to combating armed criminality across Benue State and urged the public to remain law-abiding while providing credible information to security agencies to aid ongoing operations.
The development comes amid persistent security challenges in parts of Benue, particularly in rural and semi-urban areas where armed groups have been linked to attacks, kidnappings, and communal clashes. Orokam has previously recorded similar incidents, including the arrest of a suspected kidnap gang leader by a joint Benue-Enugu security team in August 2025.
Police authorities have assured that investigations into the latest encounter are continuing, with a view to uncovering any broader criminal networks operating in the area.
