Two police officers have been killed after suspected armed herders ambushed the convoy of the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Monday as the DPO was returning to Ayilamo from Makurdi, where he had travelled on official duty.

Orchia Aondongu, spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, confirmed the attack on Wednesday.

According to the police, the slain officers were among newly deployed mobile police personnel stationed in the area.

The attack comes barely days after another deadly assault on the community in which four police officers and seven civilians were reportedly killed.

Aondongu said the earlier attack was carried out by “suspected armed bandits in large numbers” who invaded the community and opened fire on residents.

He said police personnel from the Police Mobile Force (PMF), tactical team and conventional police units were deployed to the area following the attack.

The operatives subsequently engaged the attackers in a gun battle that lasted about seven hours, according to the police spokesperson.

“The operatives stood firm in defence of the community and successfully repelled the attack, forcing the criminal elements to retreat into the surrounding forest with heavy casualties in the early hours of 11th September 2026,” Aondongu said.