Police recover seven more bodies of officers killed in Benue attack

Seven additional bodies of security operatives killed in a clash with suspected herders and local militia have been recovered in Benue state.

The incident occurred on September 19 when armed herders and militia members ambushed security operatives at Agu Centre in Katsina-Ala/Ukum LGA, leaving at least three police officers dead.

Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication focused on the Lake Chad region, said the fresh discovery has raised the casualty figure to 11.

The dead include nine police officers, one hunter, and one civil protection guard.

According to the publication, the remains of six police officers and one civil protection guard have been deposited in a nearby morgue.

Makama also said that one officer, John Aledu, an assistant superintendent of police attached to Operation Zenda, is still missing.

Search and rescue operations involving tactical teams, local hunters, and vigilante groups are ongoing to locate him.

Meanwhile, security agencies have arrested 15 more suspects in Ukum LGA in connection with the attack, bringing the total number of suspects in custody to 21.

The state police command assured residents that it remains committed to working with other security agencies to track down all perpetrators of the assault.