Armed bandits have killed four mobile policemen and eight residents of Ayilamo, Tombo Ward, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

Ayilamo is a farming community located along the Abinsi-Tyulen-Anyiin-Wukari Road.

The settlement has come under several attacks by armed bandits.

According to Tyolumun Ugande, a resident of Ayilamo, more than 200 armed bandits stormed the community from the Alufu Road axis of Taraba State and advanced towards Ayilamo, shooting and setting houses ablaze.

A detachment of mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo confronted the bandits, who were said to be armed with sophisticated weapons.

Ugande said that after several hours of exchange of gunfire, the bandits retreated, but four bodies of mobile policemen killed in the attack were discovered in the bush on Friday morning.

He said, “We also discovered eight bodies of residents of Ayilamo who were killed by the bandits.”

The Divisional Police Officer in Ayilamo confirmed the killings and attack, saying, “We have asked for reinforcement.”

Another resident, James Udough, told The Nation that the latest incident was the second time in one month that mobile policemen deployed to Ayilamo had been killed.

He said, “The bandits have been trying to set the whole Ayilamo ablaze for more than two years now. We call on the Benue and Federal Governments to help secure our land and lives.”

It was learnt that the series of attacks on Ayilamo may be connected to reports of large mineral deposits within and around the community. (The Nation, but headline rejigged)