The Benue State Police Command has confirmed that eight people lost their lives in a suspected terrorist attack on a rural community in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
The State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, confirmed the incident while speaking with Zoyols News on Sunday, disclosing that the victims included five adults and three children.
According to the police commissioner, he spent a significant part of the day in the affected community alongside other security personnel to assess the situation, engage residents and help restore calm after the attack.
Nwadiogbu explained that communication from the area was difficult because security teams were operating deep inside the bush where network coverage was poor.
He said the attack triggered tension within the community, leading to unrest among some youths. However, after discussions with security officials, the residents agreed to reopen the blocked road while waiting for water tankers to put out the fire caused during the incident.
The police commissioner said investigations are ongoing to determine whether the latest attack is linked to previous incidents recorded in the area or if it was carried out independently.
While noting that inquiries are still in progress, he described the incident as a terrorist attack.
According to him, the assailants adopted guerrilla tactics by launching the attack before fleeing into nearby forests, making it difficult for security operatives to apprehend them.
He assured residents that security agencies have intensified efforts to track down those responsible and strengthen security in the area to prevent further attacks.
