Suspected herdsmen have killed two personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps in a village in Benue State.
Both officials were killed in Awange village of Kasseyo Ward in Guma Local Government Area of the state.
The Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command of the NSCDC, Mr Adakole John Peter, told Channels Television that both men were killed when herdsmen stormed the village at about 5 pm on Sunday and engaged security operatives in a gun battle.
He identified the officers as Adams Godwin, an Assistant Superintendent of the Corps, and Abah Patrick, a Senior Corp Assistant.
A member of the community was also killed during the attack before a detachment of the NSCDC special squad deployed in Guma communities repelled the attack.
The NSCDC PRO said, “At about 5 pm on Sunday, 11th February 2018, our troops deployed to Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, encountered armed herdsmen who came to attack Awange Village of Kasseyo ward.
“While the attack lasted, a community member was killed, while two of our personnel lost their lives trying to defend the community.
“We quickly mobilised additional men to reinforce the troops who remained gallant in pushing back the herdsmen and as we speak, we are carrying out headcounts both on the side of the community and the attackers.”
News of the attack and the killing comes the same day the Benue State Police Command announced that one of its officers that went missing after an ambush on Friday had been found brutally murdered.
The Police had declared four officials missing on Saturday after a mobile patrol team that they were part of was ambushed by suspected herdsmen in Ayilemo in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State.
On Sunday, the Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said two of the missing personnel had rejoined their colleagues.
Owoseni had expressed the hope that the two remaining officials would also return unhurt, but that was not to be with one of them confirmed killed.
