Gunmen Kill 53 Security Men In 2 Weeks – Report

No fewer than 53 security operatives were killed across the country in the last two weeks.

This was according to data compiled by Daily Trust from media reports, with the figure capturing reported cases.

The victims included soldiers, police officers, personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), immigration and customs officers, vigilantes, members of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF), and state community watch groups.

According to the reports, while many of the victims were killed by gunmen while responding to attacks on communities, others were gunned down at security checkpoints and outposts.

The latest incidents occurred in Benue and Kogi states, where seven police officers and other operatives were killed in separate gun attacks last Friday and yesterday, respectively.

In addition to the fatalities, several security personnel were also abducted in the Benue incident.

In the Benue incident, eleven security operatives were feared killed by gunmen during a joint clearance operation around the Agu Centre general area in Mbatula/Mberev council ward of Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.

As of Sunday afternoon, three bodies had been recovered; while eight operatives remained missing.

It would be recalled that the State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, had on September 5, disclosed that 76 security operatives were killed by gunmen in Benue within the past year.

The latest incident could raise the number of security operatives killed in the state within the past 12 months to over 80.

Witnesses said the Friday’s attack occurred on Friday at Agbami community in Katsina-Ala LGA, near Peva and Chanchangi settlements in Taraba State.

It was gathered that around 12pm on Friday, personnel of Operation Zenda, in conjunction with the Benue State Civil Protection Guard (BSCPG) and the Special Intervention Squad (SIS), came under heavy attacks by gunmen.

Consequently, two personnel–one from the police and another from BSCPG–were reported killed in the encounter, while an unconfirmed number from both agencies went missing.

The spokesman of the Force, Benjamin Hundeyin, in a statement, confirmed the Benue killings and said only three officers were killed, with seven others missing.

“The attack, which occurred on Friday, September 19, 2025, resulted in the death of three police officers, while seven others are still missing.

“The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Innocent Ifeanyi Emenari, is currently leading the operation geared towards rescuing the missing officers and arresting the fleeing suspects,” the cop said.

Four Police Officers, Gunned Down In Kogi

Gunmen yesterday killed four police officers and a passerby in two separate attacks on police checkpoints in Kogi State.

The first attack occurred in Abugi village, Lokoja Local Government Area where two officers and a civilian were shot dead.
In the second incident, bandits ambushed a checkpoint along Ilafin Road in Isanlu, Yagba East LGA, killing two policemen.

Around 11am yesterday, another group of gunmen launched an ambush at a checkpoint in Isanlu, killing two police officers.

On September 4, 2025, a police officer and a member of the Civilian Joint Task Force (JTF) were reportedly killed following an ambush by armed bandits in the Mada district of Gusau Local Government Area of Zamfara State.

Same day, two police officers were killed in an attack by suspected militants at the Obehie boundary between Rivers and Abia states.

On September 5, gunmen killed eight personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) attached to the BUA Cement Factory located in Okpella, Etsako East Local Government Area of Edo State.

On September 6, two Immigration officers were killed when suspected members of Boko Haram struck in the Monguno Local Government Area of Borno State.

The same day, bandits ambushed operatives of Katsina’s Community Watch Corps in Dandume Local Government Area of the state, killing eight persons and setting two patrol vehicles ablaze.

Two days later, on September 8, one NSCDC officer was accidentally shot dead, allegedly by a colleague in the Life Camp area of Abuja.

In Kogi State (Yagba West LGA), 3 police officers and 2 vigilante members were killed in checkpoint ambushes by gunmen on September 9.

A day after, 5 soldiers were killed in an ambush while on patrol in Gusau, Zamfara State.

On Sept 15, bandits ambushed NSCDC operatives along the Yantumaki–Danmusa Road at Dafa village, Katsina State, leaving one officer dead.

In Kebbi State’s Dandi LGA, one Customs officer was shot dead at a checkpoint on September 17. Same day, one vigilante was killed in a gun battle with kidnappers in the Kpaduma area of Abuja.

Another vigilante commander was killed in Kwara State and a police officer in Enugu State on September 18.

Also on September 18, two soldiers were reportedly killed after insurgents raided some military barracks at Banki in Bama Local Government Area of Bornu State.

Credit: Daily Trust