Two members of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) in Benue State have been killed following an attack by gunmen at a checkpoint along the Otukpo–Ohimini road.
Gatekeepers News reports that according to Zagazola Makama, a counter-insurgency publication, the attack occurred around 11:59 p.m. on Wednesday.
The victims were identified as Inspector Akpan Ogbole of the Nigeria Police Force and Abechi Oche of the Nigeria Forest and Hunters Services.
Makama reported that the officers sustained gunshot wounds during a fierce exchange with the assailants and were rushed to the Otukpo General Hospital, where they later died while receiving treatment. Their remains have since been deposited at the hospital’s morgue.
Police authorities confirmed that the attackers escaped with an AK-47 rifle belonging to the police and a pump-action gun assigned to the Forest and Hunters Services.
Following the incident, tactical units led by the acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) have been deployed to the Otukpo Area Command to launch an “aggressive anti-crime operation” aimed at arresting the culprits and dismantling criminal networks in the area.
Makama added that the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has commenced a full investigation into the incident.
