The Benue State Police Command has stepped up security operations after a deadly attack on farmers in Apa Local Government Area, where six bodies have been recovered so far.
In a statement issued on Saturday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, the command said the attack took place in the early hours of Friday, when suspected armed herders invaded cashew farms in the communities of Asaba, Ojantele and Okpette while farmers were tending to their plantations.
The police explained that a joint security team comprising operatives of the Nigeria Police Force, military personnel and local youths swiftly moved into nearby forests to begin search-and-rescue operations aimed at locating victims and pursuing the attackers.
According to the statement, six bodies were recovered during the initial operation, while security agencies have continued efforts to secure the affected communities and search for other victims who may still be missing.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, assured residents that more security personnel have been deployed to reinforce ongoing operations and ensure a coordinated manhunt for those responsible for the attack.
Security patrols have also been intensified in the affected areas and other parts of the state to prevent further violence and reassure residents of the commitment of security agencies to safeguard lives and property.
The police urged members of the public to remain calm and support security agencies by providing credible information that could aid ongoing operations.