Gunmen Kill Two OPWS Officers in Renewed Benue Attack
Story: written by Joseph January 12,2026
Less than a week after five residents were killed in Udeku community, Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, gunmen have struck again, killing two security operatives attached to Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS).
The victims, part of a joint patrol team, included an officer of the Nigerian Air Force and a personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), deployed to restore peace in the volatile area.
Local sources said the operatives were returning from Adikpo town on a motorcycle when armed assailants ambushed them and opened fire at close range, killing two instantly.
“They had gone to Adikpo and were on their way back when the gunmen attacked,” a resident, who preferred anonymity, reported.
A community leader from Jato Aka, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, confirmed the incident occurred on Saturday, January 10, 2026, around 4:26 pm at Turan area of Kwande LGA. He explained that the officers had travelled from Anwase to Aga Market to refill a gas cylinder before being attacked at the same Udeku location where the recent civilian killings occurred.
Akerigba alleged that the attackers operated in large numbers, setting up roadblocks, burning houses, and destroying farmlands and economic crops without resistance. He warned that residents of Jato Aka, which covers five council wards, are now living in constant fear.
“Our community is exposed. People are already fleeing, and many do not even know where to go,” he said.
Operation Whirl Stroke had yet to release an official statement at the time of reporting, but a military source confirmed the attack. NSCDC Public Relations Officer, Mr. Michael Ejelikwu, stated that three OPWS personnel were attacked around 3:00 pm, resulting in two fatalities.
The slain NSCDC officer was identified as CCA Tijani Idris (S/No. 76691) of the Kaduna State Command, serving with the OPWS Joint Task Force. Ejelikwu described the killings as “unfortunate and a hazard of the calling,” affirming the NSCDC’s commitment to fighting insecurity across Nigeria.
