Tragedy struck in Benue State as gunmen suspected to be bandits killed Mike Ode, a commander of the Agro rangers under the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Benue State Command.
The incident occurred in Shaapera community, located in the Gwer West Local Government Area of the state.
Nicholas Ode, the deceased’s uncle, recounted to PUNCH Metro that his brother was brutally murdered in Shaapera village on Monday. The body has been transferred to the morgue of the Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.
According to Nicholas Ode, his brother was on a special assignment in Shaapera village when a confrontation with herdsmen ensued. In the ensuing gun battle, the NSCDC team reportedly neutralized up to 10 bandits, but unfortunately, Mike Ode was fatally shot while others managed to escape.
Confirming the incident, Mike Ejelikwu, the NSCDC Command Public Relations Officer, expressed condolences and assured that the command would not falter in its duty to safeguard law-abiding citizens.
Ejelikwu stated, “The NSCDC has a specialized squad known as the Agro rangers deployed across Gwer West, Logo, Apa, Kwande, and Guma to ensure security for agro-allied investments, including animal husbandry and crop production.”
While acknowledging the heavy losses suffered by the bandits during the encounter, Ejelikwu confirmed the death of the officer, who was the operation’s commander. He assured that the command was providing support to the officer’s family during this difficult time.
