Armed men suspected to be herders have reportedly ambushed a joint security team in Benue State, killing two personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) and injured three others while another three personnel were still missing.
NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Michael Ejelikwu, who confirmed the killings in a telephone conversation with our correspondent, identified the two officers who paid the supreme price as ASCI Adoli Simon and ASCI Ernest Tyolumun Ayilla.
A security officer who confirmed the incident to our correspondent on condition of anonymity, said the incident occurred at about 3:30pm on Thursday along Ukohol Road in Guma local government area of Benue State with one officer as casualty.
According to him, “The joint patrol team were on a routine operation and spotted a community which was set on fire by the armed herders few kilometers away from where they were and decided to go there.”
However a local source also informed, that as the team was approaching the settlement, they were ambushed by the armed herders leading to the gunning down of the two personnel by the heavily armed men.
The source added that other personnel, including Police Inspector Ochepo Benjamin and an unnamed NSCDC officer who sustained gunshot injuries were receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
It was also gathered that another Police Inspector identified as Muhammed, and two other NSCDC officers were still missing but a combined search operation was ongoing to locate them.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, told journalists that she did not have information about the incident.
Our correspondent further gathered that the patrol team comprised operatives from the Police Mobile Force (13 PMF, 58 PMF), State Intelligence Services (SIS), Operation Zenda, Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU),(NSCDC), Benue State Civil Protection Guards, and local vigilantes
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