Four policemen are feared dead following a violent attack by suspected herdsmen on Udei community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State on Sunday.
Local sources said the incident occurred around 3:00 pm when police officers responded to a distress call from residents about suspicious movement in the area. Upon arrival, the officers reportedly advised community youths to retreat, as there were no visible signs of immediate threat. The officers then fired warning shots into the air — a move that drew a deadly response.
According to a resident, “The police fired warning shots into the air, and immediately the herdsmen opened fire, killing four policemen on the spot.”
The ambush triggered widespread panic, with residents fleeing Udei and surrounding areas, including Ortese and Daudu, as gunfire intensified between the armed invaders and a joint security team led by the Nigerian Army.
Udei is located just a few kilometres from Yelwata, where suspected herdsmen killed scores of villagers in a similar attack on June 13, 2025. The latest assault has deepened fears of escalating insecurity in the region.
Efforts to obtain an official response from the Benue State Police Command have so far been unsuccessful. As of 24 hours after the incident, the command’s spokesperson, SP Udeme Edet, had yet to issue a statement.
