Bandits suspected to be armed herders have killed a soldier and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in Udeku community, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The PUNCH reported that the attack happened on Saturday and was confirmed by a community leader, Mr Lawrence Akerigba, who said the incident forced many residents to flee their homes.
Akerigba said the situation had completely disrupted life in the area.
He said, “People are running away from the community. All economic and social activities have been grounded since the attack.”
It was gathered that the slain security personnel were among officers deployed to Kwande to maintain peace following repeated attacks by suspected armed herders.
Sources said the officers were returning from Aga Market on a motorcycle, where they had gone to refill their cooking gas, when they ran into trouble.
A source told The PUNCH, “On their way back, they ran into a roadblock mounted by Fulani militants who were attacking the community.
“They took them unawares, opened fire on them and killed them instantly.”
Further findings showed that youths in the area quickly mobilised after the attack, searched nearby forests and recovered the burnt bodies of the officers. The remains were later taken to the mortuary at Jato Aka.
Residents also disclosed that the same group of suspected herders had invaded the area last week and killed five farmers.
A senior military officer attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation, confirmed the killing on Sunday.
“Yes, a soldier was killed, and he was an aircraftman,” the officer said.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the incident but said no police officer was involved.
He said, “No police officer was killed, but regrettably an officer from our sister agency did not make it.”
The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Mr Michael Ejelikwu, also confirmed the attack.
Ejelikwu said, “Yes, unfortunately, I can confirm to you that at about 1500 hours on Saturday, January 10, 2026, Fulani militias attacked three security personnel attached to Operation Whirl Stroke and killed two of them.
“The unfortunate incident happened at Udedeku, Maav-Ya, Mbakyor council ward of Kwande Local Government Area.”
He identified the NSCDC officer killed as CCA Tijani Idris, with service number 76691, from the Kaduna State Command but seconded to the Operation Whirl Stroke Joint Task Force.
Ejelikwu added that despite the loss, the NSCDC remained committed to tackling insecurity across the country.
He said, “We are still determined and committed to confronting insecurity in all its forms.”
There has been growing concern over renewed attacks in parts of Benue State, especially following the US airstrike on ISWAP camps in Sokoto on December 25, which residents believe triggered fresh violence.
Meanwhile, a traditional ruler in Gwer West Local Government Area, HRH Daniel Abomtse, and the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Mr James Ejeh, in separate conversations with our correspondent, raised the alarm over what they described as an increasing influx of bandits into Benue State.
