Fresh violence linked to armed bandits has claimed the lives of a soldier and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Benue State, further deepening security concerns in the North-Central region.
The fatal attack occurred at Udeku community in the Turan area of Kwande Local Government Area, a location that has witnessed repeated clashes involving suspected armed herders.
A community leader, Lawrence Akerigba, said the assailants struck suddenly, throwing the area into panic and forcing many residents to abandon their homes.
“People ran for safety immediately after the shooting started. Since then, markets, farms and daily activities have been completely shut down,” Akerigba told journalists.
The slain officers were part of a joint security deployment tasked with stabilising the area following earlier attacks on farmers and villages.
According to local sources, the personnel had gone to Aga Market on a motorcycle to refill cooking gas before encountering trouble on their return journey.
“They ran into an illegal roadblock mounted by the attackers. Before they could react, shots were fired at close range,” a resident familiar with the incident said.
Both officers reportedly died on the spot, while their motorcycle was burnt during the assault.
In the aftermath, local youths organised a search operation, combing nearby bushes before recovering the charred remains of the victims.
The bodies were later deposited at the mortuary in Jato Aka.
Security sources disclosed that the same axis had witnessed a deadly invasion days earlier, during which at least five farmers were killed, raising fears of a renewed wave of violence.
A senior officer with Operation Whirl Stroke confirmed the killing of a soldier, identifying him as an aircraftman attached to the joint task force.
“Yes, we lost a soldier in the incident. Investigations and security responses are ongoing,” the officer said under anonymity.
The Benue State Police Command also acknowledged the attack but clarified that no police personnel were among the casualties.
“Our men were not involved, but sadly, an officer from another security agency was killed,” Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, stated.
Similarly, the NSCDC confirmed the death of its personnel, describing the incident as a painful loss to the service.
“One of our officers attached to Operation Whirl Stroke was killed while on duty. Despite this setback, the Corps remains resolute in its mandate to protect lives and critical assets,” NSCDC spokesperson Michael Ejelikwu said.
He identified the fallen officer as CCA Tijani Idris, who was serving outside his home command at the time of the attack.
The latest killings come amid rising insecurity in parts of Benue, with traditional rulers and local government officials warning of increased movement of bandits into rural communities.
A traditional ruler in Gwer West and the chairman of Agatu Local Government Area separately described the situation as alarming, urging federal authorities to reinforce security before the violence spreads further.
Benue residents now fear that without decisive intervention, attacks on farmers and security operatives could intensify in the weeks ahead.