Gunmen suspected to be bandits reportedly killed Mike Ode, a commander of the agro-ranger unit of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, in Shaapera community, Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State.

The deceased's uncle, Nicholas Ode, stated that his brother was brutally killed in Shaapera village, and the body was taken to the morgue of Benue State University Teaching Hospital, Makurdi.

Nicholas Ode explained, "We were informed that he was on a special assignment in Shaapera village where they encountered herdsmen. During the confrontation, the NSCDC officers managed to kill about 10 of the attackers. Sadly, my brother was shot dead while the others escaped."

Superintendent of Corps Mike Ejelikwu, the NSCDC Command Public Relations Officer, confirmed the incident. He emphasized that the loss of personnel would not hinder the command from fulfilling its constitutional duty of ensuring security for all law-abiding citizens in the state. He mentioned, "The NSCDC has a specialized squad called the Agro Rangers stationed across Gwer West, Logo, Apa, Kwande, Guma, among others, to secure agro-allied investments."

Ejelikwu noted that the deceased was killed during a gun battle with the bandits, with heavy casualties on the bandits' side. He also stated that the command was in contact with the deceased's family.