At least three police officers with the Special Anti- Robbery Squad (SARS) and eight others were reportedly killed by suspected Fulani herdsmen at Mararaba Udege, Aisa and Aguma communities in Nasarawa local government area of Nasarawa State.
Several buildings were also razed in the incident which took place on Sunday.
The slain policemen were deployed to quell the lingering crisis between the Agatu and Fulani herdsmen in the area when they were ambushed and killed by the marauders.
The state Police Public Relation Officer, Ismaila Usman, confirmed the incident on Tuesday in Lafia.
He said the conflict erupted between the Agatu people and herdsmen after an Agatu man shot a Fulani man and made away with his motorcycle.
“As the Fulani launched a reprisal attack, the attention of the police was drawn and we quickly swung into action to ensure normalcy returned to the area. But unfortunately, our men were ambushed and three of them were killed,” the police spokesman said.
According to him, one Inspector, a sergeant and a corporal were the victims of the attack.