· Herders, local militia fingered
· Military hit terrorists in Yobe, Plateau
By Laraba MUUREY
Indications emerged weekend that scores of security and vigilante personnel were ambushed and killed in Agu Centre in the Mbatyula Council Ward of Katsina-Ala local government of Benue State.
Sources also said that an undisclosed number remain unaccounted for.
According to reports from the Sankera area of Benue State, a detachment of security personnel comprising the police and Civil Protection Guards under the Code name “Anyam Nyór” was wiped out by suspected Fulani herdsmen and their local bandit allies in the area.
Security expert, Zagazola Makama, said the devastating attack took place on September 19, 2025.
Quoting security and civilian sources, Makama claimed that “the attackers, armed with rocket-propelled grenades (RPGs) and heavy weapons, engaged the operatives in a prolonged gun battle.
“The commander of the civil protection guard was shot in the hand, while one police officer and two local vigilantes were killed instantly.
“Later in the day, two more bodies of police officers attached to Operation Zenda and Anyam Nyor, as well as two local vigilantes, were recovered and deposited at NKST Zaki Biam Hospital morgue.”
The ambushed team local sources said was under the leadership of a police ASP popularly known as Dan Zuru.
It was learnt that the security operatives were acting on intelligence about the presence of suspected armed herdsmen in the area, and had mobilised personnel mounted on over a dozen motorcycles and 3 trucks all of which were destroyed in the ambush.
Residents of the area accused local bandit leaders and their foot soldiers in the area, who they say are in alliance with the herdsmen over shared interests in the cattle business.
Prominent political leaders in Sankera are said to have made huge investments in cattle ownership which they have put under the control of the bandit leaders, who have in turn gone into partnership with the Fulani herdsmen to tend the cattle.
Chief Bemgba Iortyom, a lawyer and concerned Benue son, claimed that the lure for political control in Sankera is at the heart of the cycle of violence and destruction in the area, alleging that top political leaders there rely on the bandits for support during elections using violence and intimidation.
According to him, recent security operations by the combination of Operation WhirlStroke and “Anyam Nyór” along the Ukum and Katsina-Ala axis have resulted in the dislodging of the herdsmen substantially in some areas.
Positive results in the Utange Council Ward of Katsina-Ala by the combined security operations had reportedly inflicted significant losses on the herdsmen, paving the way for the assault on Agu Centre which was targeted to consolidate the security gains in the field.
While Chief Iortyom said local sources put the number of those killed in action, KIA or missing in action, MIA, at over 35, however, the Katsina-Ala local government chairman, Justine Shaku, put the figures of the MIAs at 12, and the KIAs already recovered at 2, with efforts still underway to recover more.
In another development, the Nigerian Air Force, NAF, weekend, said its Air Component of Operating Hadin Kai, AC OPHD, wiped out over 25 terrorists in a coordinated night operation at Bula Yobe and Banki.
This is even as troops of 3 Division in the Nigerian Army intercepted and arrested 15 armed bandits in Plateau State.
Speaking on the strikes in Bula Yobe and Banki, Director of NAF Public Relations and Information, Air Commodore Ehimen Ejodame, said: “Acting on reports from ground troops, a force package comprising Intelligence Surveillance and Reconnaissance, ISR, and attack aircraft were deployed. The ISR platform established contact with ground forces, tracked terrorist movements and identified multiple groups around the north of Banki.
“Real-time updates were relayed to ground troops and base operations, enabling synchronised action. Subsequently, the strike aircraft engaged the terrorists in three successive precision strikes on their movement routes and assembly areas, effectively neutralising more than 25 fighters.
“Post-strike surveillance confirmed ground forces in their defensive positions with no further threats observed in the area. This successful operation highlights NAF’s decisive support to ground forces, its resolve to deny terrorists freedom of action, and its commitment to securing Nigeria’s North-East.”
Meanwhile, Spokesman of 3 Division, Major Samson Zaikhom, who confirmed the arrests in Plateau, said the gang had been involved in arson and other violent activities in parts of the state.
“The operation followed credible intelligence on the activities of armed militias who burnt huts at Jamrop Village in Qua’an Pan Local Government Area, LGA, of Plateau State. During the technology-enabled operation, troops intercepted 15 armed militias involved in the act of arson, and recovered 15 fabricated rifles, 105 cartridges, and other sundry items.”
