Suspected herdsmen kill Airman, NSCDC officer in Benue

From Attah Ede, Makurdi 

Suspected armed-herder militias have murdered two security officers, an Aircraft Man and a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corp (NSCDC) who were all part of  Operation While Stroke (OPWS) deployed to keep peace  in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue state.

Our correspondent gathered that the incident occurred less than four days after suspected herdsmen killed five persons at Udeku community in Kwande LGA.

Sources from the area told newsmen in Makurdi  on Sunday that the security personnel were out and moving back to their base when the armed herders ambushed them and killed two on the spot.

“They were on bikes. They went to Adikpo town and were coming back when the herdsmen killed them.

“One soldier was killed alongside a personnel of the Civil Defense Corp,” a resident who didn’t want to be named disclosed.

A community leader at Jato Aka, Mr Lawrence Akerigba, in a message confirmed the incident saying “Yesterday 10/01/2026 at about 4:26pm another tragedy stroke in Turan, Kwande local government when security officers stationed at Anwase were killed by herdsmen at Udeku, same place herders kill five people four days back.

The herders came in large numbers, operated unchallenged, burning houses, destroying farms and economic trees.

 “They blocked the road when the same officers stationed at Anwase who went to Aga market to fill their gas, on their way back ran into the herders and were shot on sight.

“Our people are exposed to danger. Jato Aka town is housing five council wards that have been taken over and replaced by the Herders. The place is no longer safe. There is fear that unknown people are already packing out, some don’t even know where to go”,he said.

There was no official statement from the OPWS as at the time of filing this report, but a reliable military source  confirmed the incident, stating that the Soldier was an Aircraft Man.

The Public Relations Officer, PRO NSCDC, Michael Ejelikwu also confirmed the killing.

 He said “Yes unfortunately I can confirm to you that at about 1500 hours, on Saturday, 10th January, 2026, Fulani militias attacked three security personnel attached to Operations Whirl Stroke, killing two from the three of them attacked.

“The  unfortunate incident happened at Udedeku, Maav-ya, Mbakyor Council Ward of Kwande LGA. The NSCDC Personnel killed in the incident is CCA Tijani Idris. 

“NSCDC S/NO: 76691, from Kaduna State Command but seconded to Operations Whirl Stroke Joint Task Force.”

Ejelikwu, who extended condolences to the immediate family of the deceased, described the incident as “unfortunate and a hazard of our calling.” He stated that the NSCDC remains determined and committed in confronting insecurity in whatever form.