The Benue State police command says four of its officers and seven vigilantes were killed when a bandit attack on Ayilamo Community in Logo Local Government Area of the state was repelled on Thursday.

This was disclosed on Friday by Orchia Aondongu, the command’s spokesperson, in a statement. 

He said suspected armed bandits, in large numbers, invaded and attacked the community at about 6:12 p.m.

“Police operatives comprising PMF units, tactical teams and conventional police officers deployed to the area gallantly responded and engaged the attackers in a sustained operation which lasted for seven hours,” he said.

Mr Aondongu stated that the operatives stood firm in defence of the community and successfully repelled the attack.

He added that the criminal elements were forced to retreat into the surrounding forest with heavy casualties in the early hours of Friday.

“Regrettably, four police officers paid the supreme price in the course of defending the community.

“Their bodies were subsequently recovered during search and rescue operations in the surrounding bushes,” Mr Aondongu noted.

He added that the corpses of seven civilians were also recovered following the attack and deposited in a mortuary for necessary procedures.