Armed bandits killed several people, including a police officer, during an attack on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
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The attack occurred near the Cameroon border during market day, when armed bandits stormed the community, looted stalls, and set the market on fire.
A former councillor, Akerigbe Lawrence, told our correspondent that the attackers struck on a market day, killing several people.
He added, “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 listed six victims whose bodies were recovered and taken to the morgue, including Lornunbe Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba, Ortswen Gbinde, and a Mobile Police officer.
However, the police confirmed five casualties.
In a statement on Wednesday, State Command spokesperson DSP Udeme Edet said, “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.
“During the ensuing confrontation, while police operatives were responding to the distress call, one Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured. Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives.”
The police said combined teams of operatives and other security agencies had been deployed to secure the community, conduct thorough searches, and prevent further lawlessness.
“The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” Edet added.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Ifeanyi Emenari, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately proceed to Jato-Aka with additional Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers to coordinate intensive operations, track the perpetrators, and effect arrests.
Speaking to our correspondent, the traditional ruler of the area, Ter Kwande, also confirmed the attack and lamented the insecurity in his domain.
“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 at Jato-Aka and Agbatse are about one to one-and-a-half hours away due to poor terrain and lack of network coverage.
Abande and neighbouring communities have repeatedly suffered violent attacks. On Christmas Day 2024, more than 28 people were killed in Anwase.
Earlier this year, on 15 January 2026, a farmer and his son were killed in Imande Avur Abande, and previously, two security operatives attached to Operation Whirl Stroke were ambushed and killed.
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