Four officers attached to a joint security patrol team have been killed after an ambush by armed herders at Udei village, close to Yelewata in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The security team, identified as the Buffalo Squad of Operation Zenda, includes members of the Mobile Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Police Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), and the Benue State Civil Protection Guards.
They were said to be on a routine patrol along the Daudu-Yelewata route on Tuesday when the incident occurred.
According to a local source, the team noticed thick smoke rising from a nearby settlement about two kilometers off the highway and decided to investigate.
Upon moving into the bush, they were ambushed by heavily armed herders riding on motorcycles. The attackers were reportedly setting fire to the village when the security team arrived.
“In the ensuing gunfight, three of the security personnel were killed, one of them was however declared missing and when a call was put to his mobile phone later somebody speaking a strange language picked the call. So it was obvious that they killed him,” the source revealed.
Two other members of the team, including the squad commander, sustained gunshot injuries and were rushed to the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi for treatment.
The confrontation did not end on Tuesday. According to witnesses, security reinforcements arrived and a fresh gun battle with the attackers continued into Wednesday.
“The armed terrorists came in their numbers and we are all in fear because the heavy sound of gunshots could be heard right in Daudu town,” the resident added.
The NSCDC confirmed the loss of two officers in the attack. The spokesperson for the Benue Command, Michael Ejelikwu, said on Thursday: “Yes I can sadly and regrettably confirm the killing of two of our personnel, ASCI Simon Adoli and ASCI Ernest Ayilla who both paid the supreme price defending their father land during a joint security team clear out operation at Udei, Guma LGA on July 8, 2025 at about 4:38pm.”
He noted that the incident would not weaken the agency’s resolve. “Let me state unequivocally, that the Corps is not deterred by this coordinated and sustained attacks by this marauding killer herdsmen and their collaborators, the NSCDC in synergy with other security agencies will continue to defend the territorial integrity of the Nigerian nation.”
