Armed men suspected to be herders have reportedly ambushed a joint security patrol in Benue State, killing two personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), injuring three others, while another three officers remain missing.

The Public Relations Officer of the NSCDC, Michael Ejelikwu, confirmed the incident in a telephone conversation with our correspondent. He identified the deceased officers as Assistant Superintendent of Corps I (ASCI) Adoli Simon and ASCI Ernest Tyolumun Ayilla, who both paid the supreme price in the line of duty.

A security source who spoke on condition of anonymity revealed that the ambush occurred at about 3:30 p.m. on Thursday along Ukohol Road in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.

According to the source, “The joint patrol team was on a routine operation when they spotted a community engulfed in flames a few kilometers away. Suspecting an attack, they moved toward the area to investigate.”

However, a local source said that as the team approached the affected settlement, they were ambushed by heavily armed herders, leading to the fatal shooting of the two NSCDC personnel.

The source added that other members of the team, including Police Inspector Ochepo Benjamin and an unidentified NSCDC officer, sustained gunshot wounds and are currently receiving treatment at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

It was further gathered that a Police Inspector identified as Muhammed, along with two additional NSCDC personnel, are still unaccounted for. A combined search and rescue operation is currently underway to locate them.

When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said she had not yet received information about the incident.

Our correspondent also learned that the patrol team was composed of operatives from the Police Mobile Force (13 PMF and 58 PMF), the State Intelligence Services (SIS), Operation Zenda, the Counter-Terrorism Unit (CTU), the NSCDC, Benue State Civil Protection Guards, and local vigilantes.

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