Four members of a joint security patrol team have been killed in an ambush by suspected armed herdsmen in Udei community, near Yelewata, in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The victims were part of the Buffalo Squad of Operation Zenda, a combined security task force made up of the Mobile Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Police Counter-Terrorism Unit, and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
The patrol team was conducting a routine operation along the Daudu-Yelewata road on Tuesday evening when they encountered the attackers.
According to local sources, the team had noticed thick smoke rising from Udei village and drove into the area to investigate, only to run into a deadly ambush.
“They were attacked by heavily armed herdsmen on motorbikes who were burning down the village,” one resident said. “Three officers were killed on the spot, while another was declared missing. When his phone was later called, someone speaking a strange language answered we fear he was also killed.”
Two other officers, including the commander of the Buffalo Squad, sustained gunshot wounds and were evacuated to Benue State University Teaching Hospital for treatment.
Following the ambush, security forces reportedly reinforced and engaged the attackers in a prolonged gun battle that continued into Wednesday. Residents of Daudu town said the sound of heavy gunfire echoed through the area, leaving the community in fear.
The Benue State Command of the NSCDC confirmed the deaths of two of its officers in the incident.
“We can sadly confirm the loss of ASCI Simon Adoli and ASCI Ernest Ayilla, who paid the supreme price during a joint operation in Udei,” said NSCDC spokesperson Michael Ejelikwu. “Despite these attacks, the NSCDC remains committed to working with other security agencies to protect Nigeria’s territorial integrity.”
The incident is the latest in a series of violent attacks linked to suspected armed herdsmen in Benue State, a region that has seen years of deadly clashes between local communities and herder groups.