In a tragic incident on the Otukpo-Ohimini highway in Benue State, two members of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force lost their lives following a deadly assault on their security checkpoint.
The violent encounter occurred just before midnight on October 22, 2025, shaking the local community.
According to eyewitness accounts and official sources, Inspector Akpan Ogbole of the Nigeria Police Force and Abechi Oche, affiliated with the Nigeria Forest and Hunters Services, were both critically injured by gunfire during the clash with the attackers.
Despite urgent medical intervention at Otukpo General Hospital, both officers succumbed to their wounds, marking a significant loss for the security agencies.
Investigations reveal that the assailants managed to seize an AK-47 rifle from the police officer and a pump-action shotgun from the Forest and Hunters personnel before fleeing the scene.
The bodies of the fallen officers have been transferred to the mortuary at Otukpo General Hospital pending further arrangements.
In the aftermath, specialized tactical teams, led by the Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations), have been deployed to the Otukpo Area Command. Their objective is to strengthen security measures, track down the perpetrators, and dismantle the criminal syndicates operating in the area.
Simultaneously, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has initiated an in-depth investigation to uncover the full details surrounding the attack and bring those responsible to justice.
This incident highlights the ongoing security challenges faced in Benue State, where recent data from the Nigerian Security Tracker indicates a 15% increase in violent attacks on security personnel over the past year, underscoring the urgent need for enhanced protective strategies.
