Benue residents accuse police unit of killings and disappearances in investigation

Residents of communities in Nigeria’s Benue State have accused a police unit known as Operation Zenda of carrying out extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances and violent raids, according to an investigation by Premium Times. The unit was established by the state police command in 2008 to tackle kidnapping, communal clashes and boundary disputes in the North-central state. Residents interviewed by the newspaper said it had instead become a source of fear.

In Tse Angaador, a farming community in Logo Local Government Area, residents said police officers opened fire during an overnight Tiv funeral rite on 27 July 2024. Seven mourners were killed, including Aondoakura Yaapera, a 34-year-old father of three, according to his brother Polycarp Yaapera. Polycarp told Premium Times that he heard gunshots, saw his brother fall and hid behind a mud wall until the shooting stopped.

Helen Bam, whose daughter’s funeral was being held, said officers entered her room after forcing open the door. She alleged that they took 32,000 naira and a smartphone. Her son, Lubem, was among those killed.

Community head Mbaveluior Yaapera said the bodies were removed in a police Hilux van. Another resident told the newspaper they were taken to a private mortuary in Ugba rather than being displayed publicly or taken to the general hospital, as residents said was usual after police operations. The community said local officials described the killings as a police error and warned that pursuing the matter could affect future security assistance.

Representative Solomon Wombo reportedly provided 500,000 naira towards the victims’ burials. Premium Times said Wombo did not respond to questions about accountability, while former local government chairman Benjamin Uzenda did not answer subsequent calls. The seven victims were buried on 10 August 2024.

Premium Times also reported a similar operation in another Logo community six months earlier, involving officers allegedly led by Akegh Ernest, now identified as the commander of Operation Zenda.