Bandits suspected to be armed herders have killed a soldier and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Udeku community, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.
The attack, which occurred on Saturday, was confirmed by a community leader, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, who said the incident triggered the displacement of many residents. He added that commercial and social activities in the community had come to a standstill following the attack.
The deceased security personnel were part of a team deployed to the area to maintain peace amid persistent attacks by suspected armed herders. According to sources, the officers were returning from Aga Market on a motorcycle, where they had gone to refill cooking gas, when they encountered a roadblock mounted by the attackers.
“They were caught unawares and shot,” a source said.
It was further gathered that youths in the area mobilised after the incident, searched nearby forests and recovered the bodies of the slain officers, which were taken to the mortuary at Jato Aka.
Residents also disclosed that the same group of suspected herders had invaded the area the previous week, killing five farmers.
A senior military officer with Operation Whirl Stroke, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident on Sunday, noting that the soldier killed was an aircraftman. The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the attack but clarified that no police officer was among the casualties.
“No police officer was killed, but unfortunately an officer from a sister security agency lost his life,” Edet said.
Similarly, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed that three security personnel attached to Operation Whirl Stroke were attacked at about 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, resulting in the death of two of them.
Ejelikwu identified one of the victims as CCA Tijani Idris of the Kaduna State Command, who was seconded to the Operation Whirl Stroke Joint Task Force. He stressed that the NSCDC remained committed to confronting insecurity despite the loss.
Meanwhile, there are growing concerns over worsening insecurity in Benue State. A traditional ruler in Gwer West Local Government Area, HRH Daniel Abomtse, and the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Mr. James Ejeh, separately raised alarm over the increasing influx of bandits into the state.