In a tragic incident, suspected armed herders, believed to be bandits, ambushed and killed a soldier and an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in the Udeku community of Benue State. The two officers were reportedly on their way to refill cooking gas at Aga Market when they were attacked by the militants.
The attack, which has caused widespread fear in the region, forced many residents to flee their homes, with all economic and social activities in the community grinding to a halt. The security operatives, who had been deployed to help maintain order amidst growing violence in the area, were ambushed by the attackers as they returned from the market on a motorcycle.
Community leader Lawrence Akerigba confirmed the incident and revealed that the assailants set up a roadblock, ambushing the officers and shooting them on sight. Akerigba said the assailants also killed five farmers last week, further escalating tensions in the region.
A source revealed that local youths quickly mobilized to search the surrounding forest, where they found the burned bodies of the slain officers. Their remains were later transported to the mortuary at Jato Aka.
An anonymous military officer with Operation Whirl Stroke confirmed the deaths, identifying the soldier as an aircraftman. The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, DSP Udeme Edet, also corroborated the incident, although he clarified that no police officers were involved in the attack.
Mr. Michael Ejelikwu, spokesperson for the NSCDC, confirmed that two officers, identified as CCA Tijani Idris from the Kaduna State Command and another officer, were killed. Ejelikwu reiterated the NSCDC’s commitment to confronting insecurity in all forms, despite the heavy losses.
The incident follows a string of attacks on farmers and security personnel in the area, particularly after the US airstrike on ISWAP camps in Sokoto on December 25, 2025. Local leaders, including traditional rulers from Gwer West and Agatu Local Government Areas, have raised concerns over the increasing number of bandits infiltrating the state.
