Reported by Afilawos Magana Sur, Managing Editor | Journalist at Sele Media Africa.
MAKURDI, Nigeria — Reports from Benue State on April 25, 2026, claimed that suspected armed men killed a police officer and two community guards in Udeku, Kwande Local Government Area, though Sele Media Africa has not independently verified the attack. The reports also said Governor Hyacinth Alia ordered a security crackdown on suspected hideouts in forested areas.
Local accounts described the victims as members of a volunteer community security team and a police officer deployed to protect farming settlements in the area. Sele Media Africa has not confirmed the identities of the dead, and officials in Benue had not publicly provided a full account at the time of filing.
The unverified claims come amid persistent violence in Benue, where armed attacks continue to hit rural communities in Apa, Otukpo and Gwer-West local government areas. Residents and local leaders have repeatedly accused armed groups of using forest belts as cover for attacks, but authorities have offered limited public detail in this case.
Governor Alia’s reported order signals a renewed push by the state government to confront armed groups operating in the forest corridors. If confirmed, the attack would add pressure on security agencies already struggling to contain violence across Nigeria’s north-central region.
Sele Media Africa will update this report once police, the state government or other official sources confirm the incident.
Sources:
- Local reports and community accounts cited in briefs shared on April 25, 2026
- Sele Media Africa, no independent verification at time of filing.
