Metro
BENUE: Two of the four police officers missing after herdsmen ambush found
The police said Sunday that two of its four missing officers following ambush by suspected herdsmen in Bunue State, have been found unhurt.
The officers were among four mobile policemen who were declared missing after a police patrol team was ambushed by suspected herdsmen in Logo Local Government Area on Saturday afternoon.
Benue State Police Commissioner, Fatai Owoseni, confirmed this on Sunday morning.
“Two officers rejoined their colleagues. Unhurt. Hoping to see the remaining two,” the commissioner said.
The returned officers appeared at the police station in Ayilamo, near Azege town where the attack occurred, late last night. Rescue efforts coordinated by the police had been underway since Saturday evening, it was learnt.
It was also gathered that the commissioner of police in charge of mobile police officers arrived the state Sunday morning to lead the search and rescue efforts.
Read also: Buhari’s govt lacks ability to tackle Fulani herdmen’s menace – Soyinka
Another officer who sustained gunshot wounds was said to be undergoing treatment at a hospital in Ayilamo.
The men were returning from a confidence-building mission in remote villages when suspected herdsmen opened fire on them in Tse Akpam village, near Azege town.
“We had had an encounter around Azege when a team of mobile police went on confidence patrol,” said Owoseni.
“When they were coming back at a point in Azege, they started hearing gunfire from inside the bush suspected to be from the herdsmen. There was a serious exchange of gunfire.”
The attackers also burnt a police Toyota Hilux van after the officers inside fled into nearby bushes.
The police said they are expecting confirmation of casualties on the side of the attackers, but revealed no suspects had been arrested.
Saturday’s attack is the first ambush against a police team in Logo LGA since a January 8 incident that left three officers dead.
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