Benue State has been plunged into mourning following a deadly ambush by suspected armed herdsmen that claimed the lives of two security personnel. The tragic incident underscores the escalating violence in the state's agrarian communities.
Details of the Deadly Ambush
The attack occurred on Saturday, January 10, 2026, in the Udeku community, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area. According to reports, the victims were part of a security detail deployed to maintain peace in the area, which has suffered repeated assaults.
A source familiar with the matter revealed that the operatives, identified as a soldier and a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), had left their post on a motorcycle. Their mission was to refill cooking gas at the nearby Aga Market.
On their return journey, they encountered a roadblock erected by Fulani militants. The assailants opened fire on the unsuspecting officers, killing them instantly at the scene.
Official Confirmation and Community Impact
The NSCDC Public Relations Officer in Benue State, Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed the attack. He stated that Fulani militias attacked three security personnel attached to Operation Whirl-Stroke, a joint military task force, and killed two of them.
Ejelikwu identified one of the deceased as CCA Tijani Idris (NSCDC S/NO: 76691), who was seconded to the joint taskforce from the Kaduna State Command.
The attack has triggered widespread panic and displacement. Lawrence Akerigba, a community leader, reported that scores of residents have fled Udeku. The violence has brought all economic and social activities in the area to a complete standstill.
A Resurgence of Violence in Benue
This killing is part of a worrying resurgence of attacks on both farmers and security operatives in Benue State. Security analysts note a spike in such incidents since the US airstrike on ISWAP camps in Sokoto on December 25, 2025.
Communities across the state, including in Logo and Gwer West Local Government Areas, have reported an influx of armed herdsmen and cattle. Residents are living in fear and have issued desperate appeals to security agencies for urgent reinforcement.
This latest tragedy echoes a similar attack earlier reported by Legit.ng in the Mbamar community, Guma LGA, where armed herdsmen killed at least two people, injured several, and left others missing.
The continuous violence highlights the fragile security situation in Nigeria's Middle Belt and the urgent need for a robust, sustainable strategy to protect lives and livelihoods.
