At least 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, have reportedly been killed following a deadly attack on a rural market in Abande settlement, Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.
The attack was said to have occurred on Tuesday during the Abande market day, when traders and residents had gathered to buy and sell goods. Local sources told our correspondent that armed assailants stormed the market, opening fire on traders and residents, causing panic and casualties.
A former Supervisory Councillor in Kwande LGA, Akerigba Lawrence, confirmed the incident, stating that several people were killed on the spot while shops were looted. According to him, traders alleged that cash and goods valued at over ₦150 million were carted away before the attackers set the entire market ablaze.
Lawrence disclosed that as of about 11:55pm on Tuesday, bodies of some victims had been evacuated to Jato-Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area. He listed some of the confirmed victims as Iornunbe Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba Ortswen, Gbinde, and a Mobile Police officer who was the unit commander on duty at the time of the attack, among others.
He added that several residents were still missing as of press time, raising fears that the death toll could rise.
According to Lawrence, the attack has further heightened fear and tension among residents of Turan and neighbouring communities, amid what he described as worsening insecurity in the area. Abande community is located close to Anwase, where more than 28 people were reportedly killed during coordinated attacks on Christmas Day in 2024.
Residents also alleged that repeated attacks since the beginning of the year have claimed over 76 lives in the area, including security personnel. They further lamented the lack of visible Nigerian security presence in Abande and surrounding settlements, which lie close to the Nigeria–Cameroon border.
Meanwhile, the Police Public Relations Officer of the Benue State Command, DSP Udeme Edet, confirmed a lower casualty figure, stating that four community members and a police officer were killed.
“On 3rd February, 2026, at about 5:30pm, 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 confrontation, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, who was on special duty in the community, was fatally injured.
“Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives as a result of the attack. Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies have been mobilised to secure the area, conduct a thorough search, and prevent further breakdown of law and order. The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” she added.
DSP Edet further disclosed that the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately proceed to Jato-Aka with additional Mobile Police personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers to coordinate intensive operations, track down the perpetrators, and ensure their arrest.