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Stray bullets kill 3 students, 2 others as military troops, bandits exchange gunfire in Benue

Published

2 weeks ago

October 1, 2025

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Bandits

From Attah Ede, Makurdi

Three students of Government Science Secondary School Jato-Aka, in Kwande LGA of Benue State, have been killed by stray bullets during a fierce gun battle between troops of Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) and bandits in the area.

Our correspondent gathered that the troops also neutralized two bandits during the gun duel which occurred on Tuesday September 30, 2025 at about 4 pm.

Locals, who didn’t want to be named for fear of victimisation disclosed that trouble started when men of the Nigerian Army attached to a Chinese mining firm stationed at Tarkom, a settlement along the Jato-Aka–Kashimbila road, were approached to escort some youths to Ikpengezwa, another settlement along the same route, to bury the remains of their district head of Nzaav, Zaki Hanave Laha.

The source said the burial committee made available N470, 000 to the soldiers to enable them escort the youths to the village for the burial of their chief.

However, it was further stated that the soldiers turned down the offer from the burial committee, which angered the youths who decided to take the corpse to village for burial by themselves, a development, he said may have offended the army who went after the youths.

“It was while the burial was ongoing that the soldiers stormed the area and started chasing the youths. In the process, a young man identified as Mr. Iorsuur, who attempted to inquire about the situation was allegedly shot dead on the spot.

The source equally intimated that before their very eyes, a second and third victims who were students were also gunned down and later died in the hospital, while it was also alleged that Mr. Iorsuur’s body was allegedly whisked away by soldiers to an undisclosed location.

These developments were said to have angered the students who protested the heinous act of the security men, and followed them to their station where they still started shooting at them.

“Left with no other option, the students and youths vented their anger on the Palace and home of Mue-Ter Ichongo, Chief Simon Baver and razed both down, calling on authorities to take their soldiers away.

When contacted, the Public Relations Officer PPRO, Benue State command, DSP Udeme Edet said that the students were not attacked but killed by stray bullets when soldiers engage bandits in a gun duel.

In her words “It is not killing of students, the military team were coming back from their patrol and on their way sighted some hoodlums with firearms on a bike. While chasing them the hoodlums opened fire at the military and the military repelled them. It was in that process that unknowingly stray bullets hit three students of Government Science Secondary School Jato-Aka.

“On arrival at the hospital, sadly one of the students was confirmed dead by the doctor, while the two others are responding to treatment. Meanwhile, an investigation is ongoing.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of Kwande Local Government, Hon. Vitalis Neji, Ter Kwande, HRH. Engr. Timothy Ahile and the President-General of Kwande United People’s Organization, Comrade Aloko Nachi Simon have jointly visited on Wednesday October 1, 2025 to identify with the people.

The Chairman of Kwande Local Government and ALGON Chairman of Benue State, Vitalis Neji, represented by his deputy, Mrs. Iortsor, lamented the killings, describing it as unfortunate.

He called on the people to remain calm assuring them of government action to avoid a repeat.

The President-General of Kwande United People’s Organization, Comrade Aloko Nachi Simon said the organization has taken the bold step of petitioning the Army headquarters and taking legal actions. He promised to settle the hospital bills of the victims.

Ter Kwande, Timothy Ahile has asked the military to leave the place with an appeal to the people to remain calm to avoid escalation of the already bad situation.