Breaking news , Fresh Benue Attack Claims Lives of two security Operatives, Forces Community into Displacement.

The killing of two security operatives in Benue State has once again drawn national attention to the worsening security crisis facing rural communities in Nigeria’s Middle Belt. The attack, which occurred in Kwande Local Government Area, underscores the growing vulnerability of both civilians and state security personnel amid persistent violence linked to armed groups operating in farming communities. On Saturday, an officer of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and a soldier attached to a joint security operation were shot dead at Udeku community in the Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area. The incident has triggered fear, displacement, and the total shutdown of daily life in the affected area. According to accounts from local leaders and security sources, the two operatives were among personnel deployed to Kwande to reinforce peace efforts following repeated attacks attributed to armed herders. The officers were said to have left their duty post earlier in the day and travelled on a motorcycle to Aga Market to refill cooking gas for their camp. While returning, they reportedly encountered an illegal roadblock mounted by armed attackers believed to be Fulani militants who were simultaneously launching an assault on Udeku community. The operatives were taken by surprise and came under heavy gunfire. Both were killed on the spot. A community source familiar with the incident said the attack was swift and brutal, leaving the officers with no opportunity to defend themselves or call for backup. Their bodies were later set ablaze, a development that deepened anger and grief among residents.

Local youths, upon learning of the killings, mobilised quickly and combed surrounding forest areas. The charred remains of the slain officers were eventually recovered and transported to a mortuary in Jato Aka for preservation and identification. The immediate aftermath of the attack has been devastating for Udeku and neighbouring settlements. Residents fled their homes in large numbers, fearing further violence and possible reprisals. Farms, markets, schools, and other social spaces were abandoned as panic spread across the area. Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, a community leader in Turan district, confirmed that the killings had effectively paralysed life in Udeku. He said many families had sought refuge in nearby towns and villages, while others moved deeper into the bush to escape potential attacks. According to him, the community had been living under constant threat even before the latest incident, but the killing of security personnel marked a turning point that shattered any remaining sense of safety. “This attack has forced people to flee in fear. Farming activities have stopped, markets are closed, and the entire area is now deserted,” Akerigba said.

Security agencies have acknowledged the incident, though details have emerged gradually through separate confirmations. A senior military officer attached to Operation Whirl Stroke, the joint security task force operating across parts of Benue, Nasarawa, and Taraba states, confirmed that a soldier was killed during the incident. Speaking anonymously due to lack of authorisation, the officer disclosed that the slain military personnel was an aircraftman attached to the operation. The Benue State Police Command also reacted to the incident. The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, clarified that no police officer was among the casualties but confirmed the death of an officer from another security agency. Separately, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps formally confirmed the loss of one of its personnel. The NSCDC spokesperson in Benue State, Mr. Michael Ejelikwu, said the attack occurred around 3:00 pm on Saturday, January 10, 2026. Ejelikwu identified the slain NSCDC officer as CCA Tijani Idris, service number 76691, who was originally from the Kaduna State Command but had been seconded to the Operation Whirl Stroke Joint Task Force in Benue. He stated that three security operatives were attacked during the incident, resulting in two fatalities. Despite the setback, the NSCDC spokesman said the corps remained resolute in its commitment to tackling insecurity.

The killings in Udeku did not occur in isolation. Kwande Local Government Area has experienced repeated violent incidents over the past several months, many of them linked to disputes between farmers and armed herders. Local sources revealed that just a week before the latest attack, suspected armed herders invaded the same area and killed at least five farmers. Those victims were reportedly attacked while working on their farms, reinforcing fears that agricultural communities are being deliberately targeted. These attacks have contributed to rising food insecurity, as farmers abandon their lands during peak cultivation periods. Benue State, often described as Nigeria’s “food basket,” has been particularly affected, with violence disrupting food production and rural livelihoods. The resurgence of attacks in Benue has alarmed traditional rulers and local government officials across the state. In separate discussions, a traditional ruler from Gwer West Local Government Area, HRH Daniel Abomtse, and the Chairman of Agatu Local Government Area, Mr. James Ejeh, warned of increasing movement of armed groups into Benue communities. They expressed concern that bandits displaced from other regions may be exploiting weak security coverage in rural areas, creating new flashpoints for violence. Their concerns align with reports of heightened insecurity in parts of the Middle Belt following recent military actions against insurgent groups in northern Nigeria. Since the United States airstrike on ISWAP camps in Sokoto on December 25, security analysts have observed shifting patterns of armed violence, including possible relocation of fighters and weapons into vulnerable regions. While no direct link has been officially established between the airstrike and the Benue attacks, the timing has raised questions about broader regional security dynamics.

Operation Whirl Stroke and Its Challenges

Operation Whirl Stroke was established to address insecurity in Benue and neighbouring states, particularly clashes involving armed herders, banditry, and communal violence. The task force brings together personnel from the military, police, NSCDC, and other security agencies. Despite its presence, attacks have continued, highlighting the complexity of the security challenges in rural Nigeria. Vast forests, difficult terrain, and limited intelligence capabilities have made it hard for security forces to prevent ambushes and track armed groups. The killing of operatives attached to the operation has renewed debate about the safety, resources, and operational strategies of joint task forces deployed to volatile areas. Security experts note that when security personnel themselves become targets, it not only affects morale but also undermines public confidence in the state’s ability to protect lives and property. For residents of Udeku and similar communities, the deaths of the two operatives are both tragic and symbolic. Many locals viewed the presence of security personnel as a lifeline amid repeated attacks. Their killing has deepened feelings of abandonment and fear.

Community leaders have called for a stronger and more permanent security presence, alongside improved intelligence gathering and collaboration with locals who understand the terrain. There are also renewed calls for the federal and state governments to address the root causes of the violence, including disputes over land use, grazing routes, and the proliferation of illegal arms. In the coming days, security agencies are expected to review their deployment strategies in Kwande Local Government Area and surrounding communities. Reinforcements may be sent to prevent further attacks and to reassure displaced residents. Investigations into the killings are also anticipated, though past incidents have raised concerns about accountability and the ability to bring perpetrators to justice.

Humanitarian needs are likely to grow as displaced families seek shelter, food, and medical care. Local authorities and aid groups may need to intervene to prevent a deepening humanitarian situation.

For now, Udeku remains tense and largely deserted, serving as a stark reminder of the fragile security situation in many parts of rural Nigeria. The deaths of the two operatives have added urgency to calls for a more comprehensive and sustained response to violence in Benue State—one that protects both civilians and those tasked with safeguarding them.