Tension as police, army troops clash in Benue

A confrontation between operatives of the Nigerian Police’s Operation Zenda Joint Task Force (JTF) and Nigerian Army troops in Naka, the headquarters of Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State, has left at least one person injured.

The incident, which occurred on Tuesday, caused panic among residents — many of whom are internally displaced persons (IDPs) seeking refuge in the area.

According to sources in Makurdi, the clash escalated into an exchange of gunfire, during which the official vehicle of the JTF Commander, CSP Lyam Akegh, was destroyed.

Witnesses said the police team had been returning from an anti-kidnapping and anti-banditry mission along the Makurdi–Naka–Adoka–Ankpa and Naka–Agagbe routes when soldiers stationed in the area reportedly stopped them.

According to residents, the disagreement quickly escalated into an argument and eventually gunfire, forcing people to flee for safety.

A traditional ruler in the area, Chief Deligba Akaa, was said to have taken in a three-year-old boy who became separated from his family amid the chaos.

As of Wednesday evening, locals said several children were still missing, while many claimed they were still uncertain about what caused the clash.

However, a security source who spoke to journalists in Makurdi on condition of anonymity said the confrontation began earlier in the day when troops at a checkpoint in Naka noticed some motorcyclists carrying butchered cows — a movement the soldiers found suspicious.

“When the soldiers tried to stop them for questioning, a Toyota Hilux vehicle approached the checkpoint at high speed and ignored repeated signals to halt.The troops fired warning shots as a standard procedure, but the vehicle drove off into Naka town,” the source explained.

The source added that moments later, gunfire broke out within the community and it was later discovered that some Operation Zenda personnel (police) had allegedly fired shots into the air in celebration of a successful operation.

“Unfortunately, a 12-year-old boy was hit in the leg by a stray bullet. He is currently receiving treatment at Naka Medical Centre and is in stable condition,” the source said.

The source further disclosed that later that same day, “Operation Zenda personnel reportedly returned to the checkpoint to demand the release of suspects earlier arrested with mutilated cows believed to have been rustled.

One of the suspects allegedly confessed that the cows were being transported in the Operation Zenda vehicle that had refused to stop earlier,” the source added.

The Operation Whirl Stroke (OPWS) has yet to comment on what triggered the altercation between its troops and the police task force.

Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Udeme Edet, said investigations were ongoing to establish the cause of the incident and assured that efforts were being made to resolve the matter.

The Special Adviser to the Benue State Governor on Security and Internal Affairs, Joseph Har, also said he was awaiting a detailed briefing on the episode.