Gunmen suspected to be herdsmen kill police DPO, others in Benue

Suspected herdsmen on Tuesday killed Superintendent of Police Mahmood Abubakar in Benue State, North Central Nigeria.

Abubakar was the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Naka Police Division in the Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.

The police chief was reportedly killed when criminals suspected to be herdsmen in the area ambushed a police team and opened fire on them.

SP Abubakar was leading his team to respond to a distress call from road users along the Naka-Makurdi Road when the suspected herdsmen ambushed them and killed him in the process.

Ankpa-Adoka-Naka-Makurdi Road, which is under construction, was reportedly abandoned in 2022 by the contractor handling the project.

The federal road has reportedly become a death trap for road users due to its deplorable condition and incessant attacks by militia groups.

The Benue State Police Command verbally confirmed the attack and the killing of the DPO.