Bandits Kill Soldier, NSCDC Officer in Benue

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. He said the incident triggered a mass displacement of residents and brought economic and social activities in the area to a halt.

The slain officers were part of security personnel deployed to Kwande to restore calm amid repeated attacks by suspected armed herders. According to local sources, the two officers had travelled on a motorcycle to Aga Market to refill their cooking gas.

On their return, they reportedly encountered a roadblock mounted by the attackers, who were simultaneously assaulting the community. The officers were taken by surprise and shot dead on the spot.

Youths in the area later mobilised, searched nearby forests and recovered the charred remains of the victims. The bodies were taken to the mortuary at Jato Aka.

Residents said the attack followed another deadly incident last week in which five farmers were killed in the same local government area.

A senior officer of Operation Whirl Stroke confirmed the incident on Sunday, stating that one of the victims was a soldier identified as an aircraftman. He spoke on condition of anonymity due to lack of authorisation to speak to the media.

The Benue State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, also confirmed the attack but clarified that no police officer was among the casualties.

“No police officer was killed. However, an officer from a sister security agency was unfortunately lost,” Edet said.

The NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed that three security personnel attached to Operation Whirl Stroke were attacked around 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 10, 2026, at Udeku in the Mbakyor council ward of Kwande Local Government Area.

He identified the deceased NSCDC officer as CCA Tijani Idris, service number 76691, from the Kaduna State Command and seconded to the joint task force. According to him, two of the three officers died in the attack.

Ejelikwu said the corps remained resolute in its mandate to tackle insecurity despite the loss.

Meanwhile, traditional and political leaders in parts of Benue have expressed concern over the growing presence of armed groups in the state. The traditional ruler of Gwer West Local Government Area, HRH Daniel Abomtse, and the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Mr James Ejeh, separately warned of increasing bandit movements into rural communities and called for urgent intervention.