George Okoh of Makurdi
At least 16 people have been killed in an attack by suspected armed herdsmen at Abande village in Mbaikyor ward, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to some residents, the attack occurred on Tuesday afternoon at the Abande market where traders and buyers were conducting business.
Predatory herders attacked the market, shot civilians, looted stores, and set parts of the market on fire.
Community leader and former Supervisory Councilor of Kwande Local Council, Lawrence Akerigba, said the attackers made off with millions of naira from traders before torching the market.
“Yesterday was Abande market day. People were buying and selling when the herdsmen attacked. They looted the shops and took away a large amount of money before setting the market on fire. As of 11:55 p.m., some of the victims’ bodies were taken to Jatoaka by Mobile Police personnel stationed in the area,” he said.
He said that apart from the local residents who lost their lives, “a mobile police officer, said to have been the commander of the unit on duty at the time of the attack, was also killed” and that several residents were still missing and searches were ongoing.
He lamented that the attacks forced people to flee their homes and caused fear among residents of Turan and neighboring communities, where repeated attacks continued unchecked.
“This attack is further evidence of the deteriorating security situation in Turan. We have no clear refuge or guarantee of protection,” Akerigba said.
“Since the beginning of this year, our citizens have been attacked almost every day. Over 76 people have been killed, including security personnel,” Akerigba claimed.
“We are asking: Where is the law against open grazing in Benue? Neither the Benue state government nor the federal government is doing enough to protect us.”
He further pointed out that Abando is located along the Nigeria-Cameroon border and accused authorities of neglecting border communities.
“We are on the border with Cameroon and there is no visible presence of the state or federal government here.
“The Cameroonian government has built a road to Joinwater community, the last village bordering Nigeria, and has deployed security personnel there. On the Nigerian side, the government is refusing to build the road,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Benue State Police Command confirmed the attack.
The police announced in a statement signed by the DSP Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, that one mobile police officer and four members of the community were killed.
“The Benue State Police Command would like to inform the public about a violent attack on police officers and residents of Abande Community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State by suspected armed robbers,” the statement read.
According to the police, on February 3, 2026, at around 5:30 p.m., divisional police officers from Jatoaka received a distress call informing them that a large number of armed bandits, suspected to be herdsmen, had attacked police personnel and residents in Abande.
“One Makurdi Assistant Superintendent of Police from Police Riot Squad 13, who was on special duty in Abande community, sustained fatal injuries in the ensuing clash while police personnel were responding to a distress call,” the statement said, adding that four members of the community also lost their lives.
Police said a joint team of security forces was dispatched to the area to restore order, while Benue State Police Commissioner Ifeanyi Emmenari directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations to move additional task force personnel and armored personnel carriers to Jatoaka.
“The command extends its condolences to the families of the deceased and the Abande community and assures the public that all necessary steps are being taken to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Governor Hyacinth Iormemu Aria has condemned in strong terms yesterday’s terrorist attack on residents of Abande, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
He said terrorists were once again valiantly challenging the state and Nigeria’s security establishment and must be addressed in the language they best understand.
Governor Alia said, “My heart goes out to the peaceful Abande people. This despicable act of terrorism, which claimed innocent lives, including a brave police officer, and destroyed homes, is an attack on our common humanity and an affront to the peace and security of Benue State.”
“We extend our deepest condolences to the families of the victims and the entire Abande community at this painful time.”
