Stray bullets hit students as troops clash with bandits in Benue

Tragedy struck in Jato-Aka, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, when stray bullets from a gun battle between troops of Operation Whirl Stroke and armed bandits hit three students, leaving one dead and two others injured.

The incident occurred around 3:20 p.m. on Tuesday, September 30, 2025, as soldiers were returning from a routine patrol in the area.

According to security analyst Zagazola Makama, the clash broke out after the patrol team encountered suspected bandits riding on a motorcycle and visibly armed.

On sighting the troops, the hoodlums opened fire. The soldiers immediately engaged them in a gun duel.

In the exchange of fire, one of the hoodlums was shot d3ad, while others escaped, abandoning their motorcycle.

Unfortunately, three students of ATM Divine Academy Science and Technical Secondary School, Jato-Aka, who were closing from school at the time, were hit by stray bullets.

One female student identified as Songo Gloria, was later confirmed d3ad by a doctor at NKST Hospital, Jato-Aka, while the other two were admitted and are responding to treatment.

The corpse of the neutralised bandit was also deposited at the NKST Hospital Mortuary.

A military source confirmed the incident, stressing that the troops only acted in self-defence after being fired upon by the armed hoodlums.

He described the death of the student as an unfortunate accident, assuring that efforts would be made to prevent a repeat of such incidents.