A report from the Benue Special Operations Command revealed that a combined team of elite operatives from the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Operation Zenda, and Forest Guard embarked on a patrol to a known bandit camp at Agu Centre in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
Eleven police officers are currently unaccounted for and presumed dead following a deadly attack by bandits on a security patrol in Benue State on Friday, September 19, 2025.
As reported by the Benue Special Operations Command, a team of elite operatives drawn from the State Intelligence Service (SIS), Operation Zenda, and Forest Guard conducted a patrol to a known bandit camp situated at Agu Centre in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
According to the situation report, the patrol team was ambushed by bandits, who subjected them to intense gunfire, resulting in the destruction of two police Hilux vehicles and the theft of a General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) belonging to Operation Zenda.
Several officers were reportedly killed, and their bodies have yet to be retrieved from the bandits’ camp.
Situation Report x Benue Special Operations: On Friday, 19/09/2025, at approximately 0800 hours, an integrated team comprising SIS Elite Operatives, Operation Zenda, and Forest Guard conducted a patrol to a bandits’ camp situated at Agu Centre under Katsina Ala LGA, Benue State.
The joint team of operatives faced intense fire from the bandits, which resulted in the burning of two police Hiluxes and the theft of one GPMG belonging to Operation Zenda.
An unspecified number of police officers lost their lives, and their bodies are yet to be retrieved from the bandits’ camp.
Despite this, the operatives successfully protected an Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) and moved it to the nearest army checkpoint, after sustaining damage from bullets.
The command acknowledged the officers’ bravery and professionalism during the engagement and confirmed that 11 officers remain missing and are presumed deceased.
“Our APC sustained damage from bullets fired by the assailants, but we protected it and successfully relocated it to the nearest army checkpoint.
As of now, 11 police officers are unaccounted for, presumed dead,” it added.
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