Bandits kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in fresh Benue attack

Suspected bandits, believed to be armed herders, have killed a soldier and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) during an attack on Udeku community in the Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident occurred on Saturday and was confirmed by a community leader, Mr Lawrence Akerigba, who said the assault triggered a mass displacement of residents and brought all social and economic activities in the area to a halt.

According to Akerigba, the slain security personnel were part of a team deployed to the community to maintain peace following repeated attacks by suspected armed herders in the local government area.

Sources told our correspondent that the officers were returning from Aga Market, where they had gone on a motorcycle to refill their cooking gas, when they ran into a roadblock mounted by the attackers.

“They were ambushed on their way back. The assailants opened fire on them and killed them instantly,” a source said.

It was gathered that youths in the community later mobilised, combed nearby forests and recovered the charred remains of the deceased officers, which were deposited at the mortuary in Jato Aka.

The attack came barely days after suspected herders reportedly invaded the area and killed five farmers.

A senior military officer attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, who spoke anonymously due to lack of authorisation, confirmed the killing of the soldier.

“Yes, a soldier was killed, and he was an aircraftman,” the officer said.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the incident on Sunday, clarifying that no police officer was involved.

“No police officer was killed, but regrettably, an officer from our sister agency lost his life,” Edet said.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed that two of the three security personnel attacked were killed.

“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,” Ejelikwu said.

He identified one of the victims as CCA Tijani Idris, service number 76691, from the Kaduna State Command, who was seconded to the joint task force.

Despite the incident, Ejelikwu said the NSCDC remained resolute in its commitment to tackling insecurity across the country.

The latest killings come amid heightened security concerns in parts of Benue State following a resurgence of attacks on farmers and security operatives.

Separately, a traditional ruler in Gwer West Local Government Area, HRH Daniel Abomtse, and the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Mr James Ejeh, raised alarm over what they described as an increasing influx of bandits into the state.