ABUJA, Nigeria (BN24) — The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed the deaths of three officers and the disappearance of seven others following a deadly ambush on its Tactical Teams in Benue State. The attack occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025, at the Agu Centre in the Katsina-Ala/Ukum Local Government Area.
In a statement issued Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the police blamed the ambush on “suspected armed herdsmen and local militias.” Six suspects have been arrested and are currently assisting investigators with information, the statement said.
The Commissioner of Police for Benue State, CP Innocent Ifeanyi Emenari, is leading the ongoing operation aimed at rescuing the missing officers and tracking down the attackers. Authorities described the response as a “manhunt and rescue mission.”
Meanwhile, Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun condemned the attack, calling it “cruel, unwarranted, and an affront on the good people of Benue State.” He ordered the deployment of additional tactical assets to the region and vowed that no effort would be spared in restoring peace.
“The arrested suspects are in custody and assisting with useful information,” Hundeyin said. “The IGP has directed the deployment of additional tactical assets to the area and assured that no stone will be left unturned in restoring peace and security in Benue State.”
The attack is the latest in a series of violent incidents targeting security personnel in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. A similar ambush occurred on September 10 in Egbe, a town in Kogi State near the Kwara border, where three officers were killed at a security checkpoint. Kogi State Police Spokesperson William Aya confirmed those fatalities, while Commissioner of Police Miller Dantawaye said a tactical team had been deployed in response.
The Police Force has called on the public to remain calm and vigilant as efforts continue to rescue the missing officers and dismantle criminal networks operating in the region.
