Benue State Police Command has heightened security measures following a fatal assault on farmers in Apa Local Government Area, where six corpses have thus far been retrieved.
In a communiqué signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the command indicated that the assault transpired in the early hours of March 13, 2026, when presumed armed herders invaded cashew plantations in Asaba, Ojantele, and Okpette communities while farmers were engaged in their work.
According to the police, a collaborative security response unit comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, military staff, and local youths promptly ventured into adjacent forests to initiate search and rescue efforts targeting the discovery of victims and tracking the perpetrators.
The communiqué disclosed that six deceased individuals were found during the preliminary operation, while security organizations have maintained efforts to safeguard the communities and identify any additional victims who might still be unaccounted for.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, reassured residents that extra security personnel have been assigned to bolster ongoing initiatives and ensure a more synchronized pursuit of those accountable for the slayings.
Meanwhile, security patrols have been intensified throughout the affected locales and other regions of the state to avert further unrest and reassure residents of the dedication of security agencies to safeguarding lives and properties.
The police also urged the public to remain composed and cooperate with security agencies by furnishing pertinent information that could aid ongoing operations.
