A secret gathering meant to coordinate deadly attacks in Benue ended in bloodshed after Nigeria Police operatives stormed the meeting point and engaged the culprits in a shootout.
“Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force in Benue State have neutralised three notorious bandits and recovered firearms during a fierce gun battle in the Sankera axis.”
The confrontation happened around 7:00 PM on the 3rd of May, 2025. Police had received a tipoff that armed gangs from Shitile and Ukum were meeting in Sankera to plan strikes on security operatives.
“The encounter occurred on May 3, 2025, at about 7:00 PM, following intelligence that bandits from Shitile and Ukum were meeting secretly in Sankera to plan coordinated attacks on security teams operating in the region.”
Acting fast, tactical officers tracked the suspects to Tse-Gondo, near a forested area, where the confrontation quickly escalated into a gun battle.
“Police sources told Zagazola Makama that the suspects were tracked to the Tse-Gondo area near a forest, where they engaged advancing Surveillance and Tactical Teams in a firefight.”
Three gunmen took bullets in the exchange and were rushed to hospital but didn’t survive.
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“In the ensuing gun duel, three of the bandits sustained gunshot wounds and were rushed to a nearby hospital, where medical personnel confirmed them dead.”
Weapons found included two locally made pistols and live rounds.
“Two locally fabricated pistols and two live cartridges were recovered at the scene. Others managed to escape, among them Baba Gule, a wanted figure linked to several previous attacks. Several other bandits fled with injuries, including a wanted criminal identified as Baba Gule.”
Police believe the gang acted on the orders of Konyo Amakaa, who was seeking revenge for the loss of one of his lieutenants.
“Investigations suggest the group was acting under the directive of Konyo Amakaa, a notorious gang leader from Shitile, who reportedly ordered the attack in retaliation for the death of Sughnen Ayua a gang member fatally wounded in an earlier shootout with police on April 29, 2025.”
The chase isn’t over.
“Efforts are ongoing to track down the fleeing suspects and dismantle the wider criminal network destabilizing Sankera and its environs.”