Tragedy struck in Benue State on Tuesday night as suspected gunmen attacked a security checkpoint along the Otukpo–Ohimini road, killing two members of the Operation Zenda Joint Task Force. The victims were identified as Inspector Akpan Ogbole of the Nigeria Police Force and Abechi Oche of the Nigeria Forest and Hunters Services.

According to reports confirmed by security analyst Zagazola Makama, the attack occurred around 11:59 p.m. on October 22, 2025. The victims were shot during a fierce gun battle with the assailants and were rushed to the Otukpo General Hospital, where they both died from their injuries while receiving treatment.

Security sources revealed that the attackers escaped with weapons, including an AK-47 rifle belonging to the police and a pump-action gun owned by the Hunters Services. The bodies of the deceased officers have been deposited at the hospital mortuary.

Following the incident, tactical units led by the Acting Assistant Commissioner of Police (Operations) have been deployed to the area to conduct aggressive anti-crime operations aimed at arresting the culprits and dismantling criminal gangs operating around Otukpo.

Meanwhile, the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has launched a comprehensive investigation into the attack. Authorities have vowed to track down the perpetrators and restore peace in the troubled region.