Police Operation Zenda's extrajudicial killings in Benue State leave community in fear
Seven men, including a 34-year-old father of three, were killed during a police raid on the Tse Angaador farming community in Benue State on 27 July 2024.
In Brief
- •Seven men, including a 34-year-old father of three, were killed during a police raid on the Tse Angaador farming community in Benue State on 27 July 2024.
- •The raid was conducted by an elite police unit codenamed 'Operation Zenda', established in 2008 to tackle kidnapping and communal clashes.
- •Residents allege that Operation Zenda has been responsible for extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and violent raids.
- •The bereaved mother, Helen Bam, reported that police officers took cash and a smartphone from her room during the raid.
- •The community's head, Mbaveluior Yaapera, alleged that Akegh Ernest, the commander of Operation Zenda, led the team.
Why It Matters
The extrajudicial killings by Operation Zenda have left the Tse Angaador community in fear and trauma. The incident highlights the ongoing security challenges in Benue State and raises concerns about the effectiveness and accountability of elite police units. The community's allegations of extrajudicial killings and forced disappearances by Operation Zenda underscore the need for a thorough investigation and reforms to ensure the rule of law and human rights in the region.
Key Details
- Date of Incident
- 27 July 2024
- Number of Victims
- 7
- Estimated Population of Tse Angaador
- 3,000
- Estimated Distance from Makurdi
- 182 kilometres
- Estimated Cash Taken by Police
- ₦32,000
Context & Background
Operation Zenda was established in 2008 by the Benue State police command to tackle rising cases of kidnapping, communal clashes, and boundary disputes in the volatile North-central state. However, Benue residents have described the unit as a source of fear, alleging extrajudicial killings, forced disappearances, and violent raids.
Original Reporting & Sources
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