By Atoyebi Nike
Four policemen were feared killed on Sunday in Udei community, Benue State, after suspected herdsmen ambushed a mobile police unit responding to a distress call.
Local residents said the officers dismissed warnings that armed men were hiding nearby and asked community youths to retreat. Moments later, the police fired warning shots, prompting a deadly response from the attackers.
“They didn’t believe us. When they fired into the air, the herdsmen opened fire and killed four officers on the spot,” a source said.
The incident sparked chaos, forcing residents of Udei and neighboring communities like Ortese and Daudu to flee as gunfire erupted between security forces and the attackers.
The ambush occurred just days after a deadly attack in nearby Yelwata, where dozens of villagers were reportedly killed.
As of press time, police authorities had yet to issue an official statement on the latest killings.
