Gunmen believed to be bandits reportedly killed a leader of the agro-ranger unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, known as Mike Ode.
This happened at Shaapera community in Gwer West LGA of Benue state.
Nicholas Ode, the deceased’s uncle, stated that his brother was brutally murdered in Shaapera village in Gwer West LGA on Monday, and the body has been taken to the morgue of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
He mentioned, “We were informed that he went for a special assignment at Shaapera village. That's where they clashed with the herdsmen and in the gunfire, they managed to neutralize up to 10 of them.
“Unfortunately, we were told that one of the four civil defence personnel, who is my brother, was shot down while the others escaped.”
The NSCDC Command Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Corps, Mike Ejelikwu, who verified the incident, commented that the death of the personnel won't stop the command from carrying out its responsibility of providing security for all law-abiding citizens in the state.
He explained, “NSCDC has a specialized unit known as the Agro Rangers stationed across Gwer West, Logo, Apa, Kwande, and Guma, among others, to ensure security for agricultural investments.”
He added that the deceased was killed during a gunfight with the bandits but stated that the bandits suffered heavy casualties.
“We lost one agro ranger who happened to be the commander of the operation,” and mentioned that the command was already in contact with his family.
