Gunmen have killed two members of the Benue State Community Volunteer Guards in a fresh attack that has deepened anxiety among residents and renewed calls for stronger security measures in the state.
The victims, who were part of the state-backed volunteer security outfit created to support conventional security agencies, were reportedly ambushed while on duty in a rural community. Local sources said the guards were responding to distress calls from villagers when they came under heavy gunfire from unidentified assailants.
Witnesses described a chaotic scene as the attackers, believed to be heavily armed, opened fire without warning. The two guards were said to have died on the spot, while others in the area fled into nearby bushes to escape the onslaught. By the time help arrived, the gunmen had disappeared, leaving behind bodies, spent shells and a terrified community.
The Benue State Community Volunteer Guards were established by the state government as a response to years of insecurity, including attacks on farming communities, kidnappings and clashes between armed groups and villagers. Drawn largely from local communities, the guards are expected to provide intelligence, support law enforcement and help protect rural settlements that often lack a permanent security presence.
Residents say the killing of the two guards has sent a chilling message to communities that had begun to rely on the volunteer force for a sense of safety. Some villagers expressed fear that the attack was a deliberate attempt to intimidate local defenders and weaken grassroots resistance to armed groups operating in the area.
Community leaders who spoke on condition of anonymity said the guards had been patrolling regularly in recent weeks following reports of suspicious movements around farmlands and access roads. According to them, the slain volunteers were known in the area and had been involved in previous efforts to repel incursions by gunmen.
One elder in the community said the attack was not only a tragedy for the families of the victims but also a blow to the morale of other volunteers. He noted that many of the guards operate with limited equipment and often face adversaries who are better armed and more mobile. He called on authorities to provide improved training, protective gear and logistical support to the volunteer force.
Security analysts observing developments in Benue have long warned that community-based security outfits, while useful in gathering intelligence and deterring crime, can become targets for reprisal attacks. They argue that without adequate backing from federal security agencies, such groups risk being overwhelmed by criminal gangs and armed militias who see them as obstacles to their operations.
The killing of the two guards has also reignited debate over the broader security architecture in Benue and other states grappling with similar challenges. Critics say that despite the presence of multiple security initiatives, rural communities remain exposed to sudden attacks, especially at night and along isolated roads. They point to recurring incidents of violence as evidence that more coordinated and sustained action is needed.
Local sources indicated that after the attack, residents alerted both the volunteer command structure and conventional security agencies. A joint team was said to have visited the scene, recovered the bodies and commenced preliminary investigations. However, no arrests had been reported at the time of filing this report, and the identities or affiliations of the attackers remained unclear.
Some residents suspect that the gunmen may be part of criminal networks involved in cattle rustling, kidnapping and land-related disputes that have plagued parts of Benue. Others believe the attack could be linked to broader patterns of violence in the region, where armed groups have repeatedly clashed with local defenders and security forces.
The families of the slain guards are said to be in mourning, with community members visiting to offer condolences and support. Neighbours described the victims as dedicated and courageous, noting that they had volunteered to serve despite the obvious risks. For many in the area, their deaths underscore the human cost of the ongoing insecurity that has disrupted farming, trade and daily life.
Human rights advocates have urged authorities to ensure a thorough and transparent investigation into the killings, warning that failure to identify and prosecute the perpetrators could embolden other attackers. They also called for better protection for civilians and community-based security personnel who often find themselves on the front line of violence.
In recent years, Benue has been one of the states most affected by violent attacks on rural communities, leading to displacement, loss of livelihoods and deepening mistrust between residents and those perceived as threats. The creation of the Community Volunteer Guards was widely seen as an attempt by the state government to give communities a structured way to participate in their own protection while working alongside the police and other security agencies.
However, the latest incident has highlighted the vulnerabilities of such arrangements. Without sufficient weapons, communications equipment, vehicles and protective gear, volunteer guards can be outmatched by attackers who often operate with military-grade firearms and detailed knowledge of the terrain.
Security experts say that to be effective, community volunteer outfits must be integrated into a broader strategy that includes intelligence sharing, rapid response capabilities and sustained presence by trained security personnel. They argue that ad hoc or poorly supported initiatives risk exposing volunteers to grave danger without significantly reducing the threat to civilians.
For now, the community where the attack occurred remains tense. Some residents have reportedly begun limiting movement after dark, while others are considering relocating to safer areas if the situation does not improve. Farmers, already struggling with economic pressures, fear that continued insecurity will prevent them from accessing their fields, further undermining food production and local livelihoods.
Religious and traditional leaders in the area are said to be engaging with security agencies and government representatives, seeking assurances that the attack will not be ignored and that concrete steps will be taken to prevent a recurrence. They have also appealed to residents to remain calm, avoid taking the law into their own hands and cooperate with investigators.
The killing of the two Community Volunteer Guards has become another stark reminder of the fragile security situation in parts of Benue. As authorities move to investigate and respond, many residents are left hoping that the deaths of the volunteers will not be in vain, but will instead prompt a more robust and coordinated effort to protect vulnerable communities from further bloodshed.
