At least four policemen are feared dead following a fierce gun battle between armed invaders and security operatives in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
Sources confirmed that the clash began on Sunday morning and extended late into the night as the assailants attempted to overrun Ortese, Udei, and other nearby communities. Security forces reportedly confronted the attackers, who had earlier been sighted moving into the area disguised as herders with weapons strapped to their animals.
Ortese lies dangerously close to Yelwata, where over 100 people were killed just two weeks ago. The community is also home to a large number of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), further heightening fears of renewed mass casualties.
Eyewitnesses said the attackers struck first in Asha village, near Ortese, around 11 a.m., chasing villagers from their farms and escalating the assault toward Ortese. Despite early warnings by residents about suspicious movements in the area, the assailants managed to breach security lines.
“We reported this movement to security agencies earlier. We saw personnel on patrol but wonder what went wrong that the attackers could still kill policemen,” a community elder reported under anonymity.
Former government official Matthew Mnyan, speaking from Makurdi, confirmed that the attack was coordinated. While forces were engaged in repelling an attack in Ortese, another armed group simultaneously struck Udei, leading to the death of four mobile policemen.
Security reinforcements have reportedly been deployed to Udei, but fear and tension remain high. Displaced persons and local residents are calling for stronger military presence and urgent government intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
Efforts to reach the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Udeme Edet, for an official comment were unsuccessful, as calls and text messages to her mobile phone went unanswered as of the time of this report.