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 occurred on Saturday and was confirmed by a community leader, Mr Lawrence Akerigba, who said the incident triggered panic and forced many residents to flee the area. According to him, economic and social activities in the community have completely shut down following the killings.
The slain officers were part of a joint security team deployed to the area under Operation Whirl Stroke to help restore calm amid persistent attacks by suspected armed herders.
Sources said the officers had gone to Aga Market on a motorcycle to refill their cooking gas and were returning when they encountered a roadblock mounted by armed assailants believed to be Fulani militants who were attacking the community.
“They were caught unawares. The attackers opened fire on them and killed them instantly,” a source disclosed.
Local youths were said to have mobilised shortly after the attack, searched nearby forests and recovered the bodies of the deceased officers. The remains were later taken to the mortuary at Jato Aka.
Further reports revealed that the same group of suspected herders had invaded the area last week, killing five farmers.
A senior military officer attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident on Sunday, stating that one of the victims was an aircraftman.
The Police Public Relations Officer in Benue State, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the attack but clarified that no police officer was killed.
“There was no police casualty. However, we lost an officer from a sister security agency,” Edet said.
The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed the incident, identifying the slain NSCDC officer as CCA Tijani Idris, with service number 76691, from the Kaduna State Command and seconded to the Operation Whirl Stroke Joint Task Force.
Ejelikwu said the attack happened at about 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Udedeku, Maav-Ya, Mbakyor council ward of Kwande Local Government Area.
Despite the loss, he said the corps remains resolute in its commitment to combating insecurity.
Meanwhile, traditional rulers and local government authorities have raised alarm over what they described as a growing influx of bandits into 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 expressed concern over the worsening security situation.
The latest attack comes amid renewed violence in parts of Benue following the United States airstrike on ISWAP camps in Sokoto on December 25, with reports of increased attacks on farmers and security operatives in the state.
