The Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) has confirmed that two of its men were killed by rampaging herdsmen in Benue state.
The Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command of the NSCDC, Mr Adakole John Peter, said the men were killed on Sunday in Awange village of Kasseyo Ward in Guma Local Government Area.
The officers were killed when herdsmen stormed the village 5 pm on Sunday and engaged security operatives in a gun battle, he explained.
He identified the officers as Adams Godwin, an Assistant Superintendent of the Corps, and Abah Patrick, a Senior Corp Assistant.
A member of the community was also killed during the attack before a detachment of the NSCDC special squad deployed in Guma communities repelled the attack.
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“At about 5 pm on Sunday, 11th February 2018, our troops deployed to Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, encountered armed herdsmen who came to attack Awange Village of Kasseyo ward.
“While the attack lasted, a community member was killed, while two of our personnel lost their lives trying to defend the community.
“We quickly mobilised additional men to reinforce the troops who remained gallant in pushing back the herdsmen and as we speak, we are carrying out headcounts both on the side of the community and the attackers.”
The police in Benue State have also confirmed the recovery of the body of one of their four officers declared missing.
The Police had declared four officials missing on Saturday after a mobile patrol team was ambushed by suspected herdsmen in Ayilemo in Logo Local Government Area.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Fatai Owoseni, said two of the missing personnel had re-joined their colleagues.
Owoseni had expressed the hope that the two remaining officials would also return unhurt, but that was not to be with one of them had been confirmed killed.
![Rev. Fr. Anthony Odiong, a US-based Nigerian Louisiana Catholic priest, was arrested in Florida on Tuesday for possessing child pornography, according to law authorities. The suspect is reportedly accused of many other cases of sexual assault. The Waco, Texas, Police Department announced in a Facebook post on Tuesday that officers detained Father Anthony Odiong in Ave Maria, Florida, with assistance from the United States Marshals Service. Waco police announced in March that they had received "credible information" about a sexual assault allegedly committed by Odiong in Texas in 2012. “During the subsequent investigation, a case of possession of child pornography was uncovered,” the police said. The priest was apprehended in Florida by the Caribbean Regional Fugitive Task Force. The Waco Police Department said that he will be extradited to Texas. Odiong had previously served in the Archdiocese of New Orleans before being removed as priest in December of last year due to controversy over homilies in which he claimed, among other things, that the Catholic Church was being taken over by "the gays." At the time, the priest was also accused of abusive behaviour; a Louisiana lady claimed in U.S. bankruptcy court that Odiong had committed both financial and sexual abuse against her. Prior to joining the New Orleans Archdiocese, Odiong served in at least two Texas parishes. On Tuesday, Waco police stated that during their sexual assault investigation, "the presence of other survivors was revealed." “Multiple women have come forward to tell similar experiences as the sexual assault survivor who reported the initial allegation,” the police department said. “Survivors’ experiences ranged from sexual assault and indecent assault, more commonly recognised as groping, and financial abuse, with some survivors experiencing every element of Anthony Odiong’s manipulation.” The police said they “believe there may be more survivors, and we wish to speak with anyone who [has] had similar encounters” with the priest. The Archdiocese of New Orleans issued a brief news release on Tuesday noting Odiong's arrest in Florida. The archdiocese “encourages anyone with any information to contact law enforcement,” the release said.](https://chronicle.ng/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ezgif-6-4730550ede-450x300.jpg "Odiong: US-based Nigerian Catholic priest convicted over sexual assault")