Soldier, NSCDC personnel shot dead in Benue

Two security personnel—a soldier and an operative of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC)—have been shot dead by armed assailants in Udeku community, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The incident reportedly occurred on Saturday evening when the security operatives ran into an ambush along a road in the community.

Residents told our correspondent that the attack happened around 5:00 p.m. as the officers were returning from Aga Market, where they had gone to refill cooking gas. The attackers were said to have blocked the road before opening fire on the victims.

It was gathered that the attack took place at the same location where five farmers were killed a few days earlier while harvesting yam and Bambara nuts on their farms.

A former Supervisory Councillor in Kwande LGA, Akerigba Lawrence, said the assailants had previously laid siege to the area, destroying property and disrupting farming activities.

“On Saturday, January 10, 2026, at about 4:26 pm, another tragedy struck Turan in Kwande LGA when security officers stationed at Anwase were killed at Udeku – the same location where armed herders killed five people four days earlier,” Lawrence said.

According to him, the attackers, who allegedly arrived in large numbers, also burnt houses and destroyed farms and economic trees. He added that one of the soldiers reportedly escaped the attack and later reported the incident at a police station in Jato-Aka.

Lawrence further lamented the humanitarian situation in the area, noting that residents displaced by the violence were facing health risks without adequate medical support.

“Jato-Aka town, which is hosting displaced persons from about five council wards, is no longer safe. There is fear everywhere, and many people are leaving without knowing where to go,” he said.

Attempts to get confirmation from military formations in the state, including Operation Whirl Stroke, were unsuccessful as of the time of filing this report. However, it was gathered that the deceased soldier was an air force personnel.

Confirming the incident, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Police Command, DSP Udeme Edet, said two security operatives were killed at about 5:50 p.m. on Saturday in Kwande LGA.

In a separate statement, the Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC in Benue State, Michael Ejelikwu, also confirmed the death of one of its personnel.

“Yes, I can confirm that at about 3:00 p.m. on Saturday, January 10, 2026, armed attackers attacked three security personnel attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, killing two of them,” Ejelikwu said.

“The unfortunate incident happened at Udeku, 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 Taskforce.

“It is unfortunate, however it is the hazard of our calling, the NSCDC remain determined and committed in confronting insecurity in whatever form, our sincere condolences to his immediate family.”

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