Eight more bodies of policemen killed in a deadly ambush at Agu Centre, on the border of Katsina-Ala and Ukum local government areas of Benue State, have been recovered.
The incident occurred on Friday when a combined team of security operatives encountered armed attackers.
Initial reports confirmed the deaths of three officers, while eight policemen were declared missing.
The joint security team comprised personnel of Operation Zenda, the Benue State Civil Protection Guard (BSCPG), and the Special Intervention Squad (SIS).
Earlier, it was reported that two policemen and one BSCPG officer lost their lives in the encounter.
But on Monday, the Chairman of Katsina-Ala LGA, Dr. Justine Shaku, confirmed that the remains of the eight missing policemen had been found.
“This brings the number of officers killed to 11 (10 policemen and one BSCPG),” Shaku told journalists during a telephone conversation in Makurdi.
He further disclosed that the Benue State Commissioner of Police, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, was already on ground to oversee security operations in the troubled area.
“The atmosphere is still tense and unfriendly, but we are on top of the situation,” Shaku added.
Police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the recovery of the corpses, underscoring the scale of the tragedy.
Meanwhile, Commander of the BSCPG, Capt. Ayuma Ajobi (rtd), said one of his operatives was killed in the attack, alongside the loss of two motorcycles.
