A tragic incident occurred in Tse Angaador, a farming community in Benue State, Nigeria, on July 27, 2024, when police from Operation Zenda, an elite unit established to tackle insecurity, opened fire on a gathering, killing seven people, including a 34-year-old father of three, Aondoakura Yaapera, and a secondary schoolgirl, Kumawuese Bam. The community, with an estimated population of 3,000 residents, was holding a traditional funeral rite for Kumawuese Bam.
The state police command established Operation Zenda in 2008 to address 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. Polycarp Yaapera, who attended the vigil with his younger brother, recounted the incident, stating that the police arrived suddenly and started shooting.
The bereaved mother, Helen Bam, alleged that the police officers took ₦32,000 cash and a smartphone from her room during the raid. Her son, Lubem, was also killed in the incident. Mrs. Bam reported suffering a health episode that required hospitalization after the burial of her two children. In January 2026, she expressed her ongoing trauma, stating that she may never recover from the tragedy and that the sight of police officers triggers a desire for her to be killed as well.
The community's head, Mbaveluior Yaapera, alleged that the police took the bodies away after the shooting, led by Akegh Ernest, the commander of Operation Zenda. An eyewitness reported that the bodies were deposited at a private mortuary in Ugba, rather than being taken to the general hospital, as is the usual practice when police kill armed bandits.
The community contacted Solomon Wombo, their representative in the House of Representatives, and Benjamin Uzenda, the chairman of Logo Local Government Area, following the shootings. According to Mr. Yaapera, at a meeting in Anyiin, the council boss reportedly stated that the police regretted the killings but warned that if the community insisted on seeking accountability, they would not receive security assistance in the event of future attacks by armed herders.
Another raid occurred six months prior to the killings in Tse Angaador, in the community of Tse Jikina, Mbavuur Ward. Residents alleged that police officers, led by Akegh Ernest, assaulted them during a search for an herbal practitioner accused of supplying charms to armed bandits. The incident resulted in 25 burnt and abandoned houses in Tse Jikina, according to a January 2026 visit by PREMIUM TIMES.
The actions of Operation Zenda have raised concerns about police brutality and accountability in Benue State. While the unit was established to tackle insecurity, its methods have been criticized by residents. Court documents show that Tornyor Orkile filed a suit against the police, Operation Zenda, and its commander, Akegh Ernest, but the case was struck out after the judge handling it was transferred.
Key points
- Operation Zenda, an elite police unit in Nigeria's Benue State, has been accused of extrajudicial killings and violent raids.
- The unit was established in 2008 to tackle insecurity but has been criticized by residents for its methods.
- A tragic incident on July 27, 2024, in Tse Angaador, resulted in the deaths of seven people, including a 34-year-old father of three and a secondary schoolgirl.
