The Benue State Police Command has confirmed the killing of 13 farmers during a deadly assault linked to cattle rustling in the Efeyi community, Ugboju, located within Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred when armed bandits invaded the locality with the specific intent of rustling 20 cattle belonging to a local resident, Peter Ambulus.

Statement details released by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Orchia Aondongu, indicated that the armed assailants opened fire on local farmers encountered in the bush while attempting to escape with the rustled livestock. While preliminary reports from local community members initially suggested a higher casualty count, official police verification established that 13 people lost their lives during the assault.

In response to the violence, Commissioner of Police Cletus Nwadiogbu spearheaded a joint clearance operation alongside police tactical units to track down the perpetrators. During the engagement, security forces came under fire, repelled the attackers, neutralized two of the suspected bandits, and successfully recovered one AK-47 rifle alongside 15 rounds of live ammunition.

The police command confirmed that active clearance operations remain ongoing across nearby forests and surrounding communities in Otukpo Local Government Area. Security personnel are continuing search efforts to apprehend the remaining fleeing suspects, recover the stolen livestock, and fully restore peace to the affected area.