The Benue state Police Command, yesterday, said three militants lost their lives in a gun battle with some of its personnel deployed to Yogbo in Guma local government area of the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Moses Yamu, in a statement made available to Blueprint in Makurdi, said one non commissioned police officer lost his life in the battle and another one missing. He said the command received report yesterday that the militia suspected to be herdsmen, attacked the community and swung into action.
Yamu said, the police team braced up to the challenge and engaged them in gun battle, killing three of the militants, but that their corpses were taken away by their fleeing members, some of whom also suffered severe gunshot wounds. “It is sad, however, that thepolice lost one non-commissioned officer while another one is yet to be seen,” he added.
He further revealed that the command has deployed additional troops to Yogbo community in Guma local government area of the state, which came under serious attack by heavily armed militia group numbering about 200.
“The Police is intensifying both overt and covert operations in the area and the state at large, with a view to preventing reoccurrence of such incident and curbing all acts of armed attack. “We are also apprehending and bringing to justice the criminal elements using tribal, ethnic, religious and political sentiments to cause mayhem, as well as ensure adequate security which will encourage residents to return to areas hitherto deserted,” he noted. The police spokesperson said the command would continue to count on the support of well- meaning residents of the state to arrest the situation and ensure the return of normalcy.
