The Benue State Police Command has confirmed a deadly assault on Yelewata, a community in Guma Local Government Area, following an invasion by suspected bandits in the early hours of Saturday.
According to a statement from the State Police Command Public Relations Officer, Edet Udeme, operatives from the command’s tactical teams responded promptly and engaged the assailants in a fierce exchange of gunfire.
“Some of the attackers were neutralized in the process,” the PPRO said. “But it is with great sadness that we report that some individuals also lost their lives and others sustained injuries during the incident.”
While the precise number of casualties remains unclear, security personnel and medical teams have been deployed to provide care for the injured.
“While the exact number of civilian casualties has yet to be officially confirmed, security personnel and medical workers are on ground attending to the injured,” the statement read.
Reassuring the public, the police emphasized their dedication to safeguarding lives and property, noting that operations are underway to track down those responsible.
“Our men are still in pursuit of the attackers. We will continue to do all it takes to keep everyone safe,” Udeme added.