Armed bandits have attacked Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a police officer and several residents.
The incident happened close to the Cameroon border on a market day when the attackers invaded the community, looted goods from market stalls, and set the market on fire.
A former councillor in the area, Akerigbe Lawrence, said the assailants struck during trading hours, leaving multiple casualties behind. He explained that the bodies of some victims were later moved to Jato-Aka by officers of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area.
Lawrence identified the victims whose bodies were recovered as Lornunbe Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba, Ortswen Gbinde, as well as a Mobile Police officer.
However, the Benue State Police Command confirmed five deaths.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, disclosed that the Divisional Police Officer in Jato-Aka received a distress call around 5:30 p.m. on February 3, 2026, reporting that suspected armed herder bandits had attacked police personnel and residents of Abande.
Edet stated that during the confrontation, an Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force in Makurdi, who was on special duty in the community, was fatally wounded. Four residents also lost their lives in the attack.
The police said joint security teams have been deployed to restore order, secure the community, and prevent further violence. The bodies of the deceased have been recovered and deposited in a mortuary.
The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, has reportedly directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to move immediately to the area with additional Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers to intensify operations and track down the attackers.
The traditional ruler of the area, Ter Kwande, also confirmed the attack and described the situation as alarming. He stated that six community members and one police officer were killed, while three other policemen fled the area, leaving residents exposed to further danger.
He appealed to the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Abande, noting that the nearest army units located in Jato-Aka and Agbatse are over an hour away due to difficult terrain and poor network coverage.
Abande and nearby communities have reportedly experienced repeated attacks. On Christmas Day in 2024, more than 28 people were killed in Anwase. On January 15, 2026, a farmer and his son were also killed in Imande Avur Abande. In a previous incident, two security operatives attached to Operation Whirl Stroke were ambushed and killed.
