Makurdi, Benue State — Suspected armed herders have killed a soldier and a Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) officer in an ambush in Udeku community, Turan district, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, officials and local sources report.
The incident occurred on Saturday, January 10, 2026, when the security operatives, attached to the Operation Whirl-Stroke Joint Taskforce, left their post on a motorcycle to refill cooking gas at Aga Market, a community leader said.
On their return, they encountered a roadblock reportedly mounted by Fulani militias, were taken by surprise and fired upon, killing both instantly, the source added.
One of the deceased was identified by the NSCDC spokesperson, Michael Ejelikwu, as Corps Commander Assistant (CCA) Tijani Idris, service number 76691, from the Kaduna State Command, seconded to the taskforce.
Ejelikwu confirmed the deaths and extended condolences to the families of the slain officers. “Fulani militias attacked three security personnel attached to Operation Whirl-Stroke and killed two of them,” he said, noting the incident occurred in the Maav-ya, Mbakyor council ward of Kwande LGA.
A community leader, Lawrence Akerigba, said the attack has forced many residents to flee the area, bringing economic and social activities to a halt.
He highlighted that the ambush occurred in the same location where five civilians were reportedly killed by herders’ days earlier, raising fears of escalating violence.
The Benue State Police Command also confirmed the deaths but clarified that no police officer was among the casualties, with the slain personnel being security operatives from other agencies. DSP Udeme Edet, the state police public relations officer, said police were aware of the attack and investigations are ongoing.
Youths in the area reportedly mobilised and searched nearby forests, eventually recovering the charred bodies of the victims and taking them to the mortuary at Jato-Aka.
The heightened insecurity has left residents fearful for their safety, with many displaced and unsure of their next destination.
The latest attack adds to a series of violent encounters in Benue State involving suspected herders and bandits, which have targeted civilians and security personnel alike, contributing to rising insecurity across rural areas.
Analysts and local stakeholders have repeatedly called for strengthened security presence and proactive measures to protect vulnerable communities.
As authorities continue investigations, the focus remains on identifying the assailants, understanding the dynamics of the ambush and preventing further loss of life amidst ongoing communal vulnerabilities in the region.
