Gunmen have reportedly ambushed and killed a soldier and a personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) at the weekend in Udeku community of Turan district in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, escalating fresh fears over the worsening insecurity in the area.
The slain officers were part of security operatives deployed to Turan to check recurring attacks by armed herdsmen on rural communities.
It was learnt that the military victim was identified as an Aircraft Man as eyewitness narrated that the two victims, alongside another colleague, had left their duty post on a motorcycle to Aga Market to refill their cooking gas when they ran into a roadblock allegedly mounted by the armed assailants.
“They were taken unawares. The attackers opened fire immediately and killed them on the spot,” a local source said.
Angered by the killing, youths from the area reportedly mobilised, combed surrounding bushes and recovered the charred remains of the slain officers, which were later deposited at the mortuary in Jato-Aka.
Residents said that the attack also left a trail of destruction, with several houses set ablaze, farmlands and economic trees destroyed, forcing residents, mostly women and children to flee their homes in search of safety.
It was learnt that the attackers invaded from Udeku, the same community where armed herders last week reportedly killed five farmers in a separate attack.
Confirming the incident, a community leader, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, said the assault triggered a mass displacement of residents and brought all social and economic activities in the area to a standstill.
The Benue State Police Command spokesperson, SP Udeme Edet, said no police officer was killed in the incident but confirmed the death of a personnel from a sister security agency.
Spokesperson of the NSCDC in the state, Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed the incident.
“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,” Ejelikwu said.
