Bandits invade Benue Community, set market ablaze, kill five

Armed bandits have killed several people, including a police officer, during an attack on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, near the Cameroon border.

The attack occurred on market day, when the assailants stormed the community, looted market stalls and set the market ablaze, throwing residents into panic.

A former councillor from the area, Akerigbe Lawrence, told our correspondent that the attackers struck while trading activities were ongoing, resulting in multiple deaths.

“The invaders looted stalls and set the market on fire. As of 11:55 p.m., some of the victims’ bodies were conveyed to Jato-Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area,” Lawrence said.

He listed six community members whose bodies were recovered and taken to the morgue, alongside a Mobile Police officer.

However, the Benue State Police Command confirmed five fatalities, including a police officer.

In a statement on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said the attack occurred on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m.

“On 3 February 2026, at about 17:30 hours, the Divisional Police Officer, Jato-Aka, received a distress call that suspected armed herder bandits, in large numbers, had attacked police personnel stationed at Abande community as well as members of the community,” Edet said.

She explained that during the ensuing confrontation, an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, who was on special duty in the area, sustained fatal injuries.

“Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives,” she added.

The police said a combined team of operatives and other security agencies had been deployed to secure the area, conduct thorough searches and prevent further attacks.

“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” the statement said.

According to Edet, the Commissioner of Police in Benue State, Ifeanyi Emenari, has ordered the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to proceed immediately to Jato-Aka with additional Mobile Police personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers to intensify operations, track the attackers and effect arrests.

The traditional ruler of the area, Ter Kwande, also confirmed the attack, describing the security situation as dire.

“Six of my people and a policeman were killed, and their bodies were recovered last night. The other three policemen have fled, leaving the area vulnerable,” he said.

He appealed to the Federal Government to establish a permanent military presence in Abande, noting that the nearest army units in Jato-Aka and Agbatse are between one and one-and-a-half hours away due to difficult terrain and poor network coverage.

Abande and surrounding communities have witnessed repeated violent attacks in recent years. On Christmas Day 2024, no fewer than 28 people were killed in neighbouring Anwase community.

Earlier this year, on January 15, 2026, a farmer and his son were killed in Imande Avur Abande, while two security operatives attached to Operation Whirl Stroke were previously ambushed and killed in the area.