Benue Police Neutralize Three Bandits Following Targeted Killing of 67-Year-Old Man in Katsina-Ala Operation

Police in Benue kill three suspects following the murder of a 67-year-old man in Katsina-Ala. Security forces continue to hunt for a kingpin known as “Chen.”

By: AXL Media

Published: Mar 9, 2026, 9:02 AM EDT

Source: The information in this article was sourced from Daily Post Nigeria

Tactical Response to Targeted Violence

The Benue State Police Command has successfully neutralized three suspected bandits following a violent encounter in the Katsina-Ala Local Government Area. The operation was launched as a direct response to a brutal attack on a local resident, highlighting the volatile security situation in the region. According to reports monitored by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama, the police acted on intelligence following a kidnapping that escalated into a homicide. This successful engagement demonstrates the heightened state of readiness within the state's security apparatus as they move to dismantle local criminal networks that have been terrorizing rural communities.

The Abduction and Murder of Zaki Sughter Agenbeer

The chain of events began on the evening of March 7, at approximately 7:30 p.m., in the Une Tongov community. Armed bandits, reportedly loyal to a local criminal kingpin identified as “Chen,” stormed the residence of 67-year-old Zaki Sughter Agenbeer. The attackers forcibly abducted the elder and moved him into the nearby bush. Security sources indicate that the bandits accused Agenbeer of acting as an informant for security agencies, providing details about their movements and hideouts. This retaliatory killing underscores the extreme danger faced by local citizens who are often caught between the demands of criminal elements and the efforts of the state to restore order.

Inter-Agency Collaboration and the Gun Duel

Following the abduction, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) of Katsina-Ala initiated a collaborative effort with the DPO of Ukum to track the assailants. Together, they mobilized a formidable force consisting of patrol teams and specialized tactical units. The operatives tracked the group to a remote area where a fierce gun duel ensued. In the heat of the exchange, police marksmen managed to neutralize three of the suspects. The coordinated nature of this response, involving multiple tactical divisions, suggests an evolving strategy aimed at providing a more robust and rapid reaction to banditry in Benue’s most vulnerable border areas.