Residents Flee as Armed Herders Kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in Benue

Residents Flee as Armed Herders Kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in Benue

Suspected armed herders have killed a Nigerian soldier and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Udeku community, Turan area of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, triggering fresh fears and mass displacement of residents.

A community leader, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, confirmed the incident on Saturday, saying the deadly attack forced dozens of locals to flee their homes while commercial and social activities in the area came to a complete halt.

According to him, the slain security personnel were part of a joint team deployed to the area to maintain peace amid persistent attacks by suspected Fulani armed herders.

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 encountered a roadblock mounted by the attackers.

“They were taken unawares. The gunmen opened fire immediately and killed them on the spot,” a source said.

Further accounts revealed that youths in the community quickly mobilised, combed nearby forests, and recovered the burnt bodies of the slain officers. The remains were later deposited at the mortuary in Jato Aka.

Residents also disclosed that the same group of armed herders had invaded the area the previous week, killing at least five farmers in separate attacks.

READ ALSO:

• Martinelli Hat-Trick Fires Arsenal Past Portsmouth into FA Cup Fourth Round
• Ned Nwoko Rejects Abuse Claims, Releases Medical, Therapy Evidence
• Rivers Assembly Alleges Plot to Secure Court Orders to Halt Legislative Activities

A senior military officer attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, who spoke on condition of anonymity, confirmed the incident on Sunday.

“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 attack but clarified that no police officer was involved.

“No police officer was killed, but regrettably an officer from our sister agency did not make it,” Edet said.

Meanwhile, the NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed that two security personnel were killed during the ambush.

“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 at Udedeku, Maav-Ya, Mbakyor council ward of Kwande LGA,” he said.

Ejelikwu identified one of the deceased as CCA Tijani Idris, NSCDC service number 76691, of the Kaduna State Command, who was seconded to the Operation Whirl Stroke Joint Task Force.

Despite the incident, he said the NSCDC remains committed to combating insecurity across the country.

The latest attack comes amid rising violence in parts of Benue State, with killings of farmers and security personnel reportedly increasing following the US bombing of ISWAP facilities in Sokoto on December 25.

Meanwhile, traditional rulers and local government leaders have raised alarm over the growing incursion of bandits and armed groups into the state.

In separate interviews, HRH Daniel Abomtse, a traditional ruler in Gwer West LGA, and Mr. James Ejeh, Chairman of Agatu LGA, expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation and called for urgent intervention by security agencies.

Residents Flee as Armed Herders Kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in Benue