At least 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, were killed Tuesday when suspected armed herders attacked a rural market in Abande settlement, Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State, residents said.
The attack occurred during the Abande market day, when traders and residents had gathered to buy and sell goods, locals told Daily Trust.
A former supervisory councillor in Kwande LGA, Akerigba Lawrence, said the attackers opened fire on traders and residents, killing several people on the spot. He added that shops were looted, with traders estimating losses of more than ₦150 million in cash and goods, before the market was set ablaze.
Lawrence said that as of about 11:55 p.m. Tuesday, some victims’ bodies had been evacuated to Jato-Aka by Mobile Police personnel stationed in the area. He listed some of the deceased, including community members and the Mobile Police unit commander on duty at the time of the attack.
He said several residents were still missing and noted that the attack had heightened fear in Turan and neighboring communities amid worsening insecurity.
The Abande community is near Anwase, where more than 28 people were reportedly killed during attacks on Christmas Day in 2024. Residents also alleged that repeated attacks since the beginning of the year have claimed more than 76 lives, including security personnel.
Residents said Abande and surrounding settlements near the Nigeria-Cameroon border have limited visible security presence.
However, Benue State Police Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet confirmed four civilian deaths and the killing of a police officer.
Edet said the Divisional Police Officer in Jato-Aka received a distress call at about 5:30 p.m. Tuesday reporting that suspected armed herders had attacked police personnel and community members in Abande.
During the response, an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force in Makurdi, who was on special duty in the community, was fatally injured, she said. Four community members also lost their lives.
Edet said joint teams of police and other security agencies have been deployed to secure the area, search for the attackers and prevent further violence. The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited at a mortuary.
She added that the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, has ordered the deputy commissioner in charge of operations to deploy additional Mobile Police personnel and armored vehicles to intensify operations and track the perpetrators.
