The Benue State Commissioner of Police, Cletus Nwadiogbu, has disclosed that police operatives came under heavy gunfire while pursuing suspected cattle rustlers responsible for the deadly attack in Efeyi community, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
Speaking during an interview on AIT News on Thursday, 30 July, 2026, Nwadiogbu recounted how police officers confronted the armed criminals during the operation. According to him, the police responded effectively, resulting in the death of two of the suspected attackers.
Describing the encounter, the police commissioner said, “They opened fire on us. Maybe they wanted to prevent us from getting to those who were moving the cows. And to God be the glory, 2 of them were eliminated.”
Nwadiogbu said the successful operation demonstrated the determination of the Benue State Police Command to confront armed criminals despite the risks involved. He noted that officers remained committed to pursuing the suspects even after coming under attack, stressing that the command would not relent in its efforts to dismantle criminal networks operating in the state.