Armed bandits killed a police officer and four residents during a violent raid on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.
The attack occurred on market day near the Cameroon border, with the assailants looting stalls and setting the market ablaze.
A former councillor, Akerigbe Lawrence, told Dip Connect Online News that several people were killed and that bodies were conveyed to Jato-Aka by Mobile Police personnel. He identified six victims, including Lornunbe Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba, Ortswen Gbinde, and a Mobile Police officer, though police confirmed five casualties.
In a statement, State Police 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, one Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, on special duty at Abande, was fatally injured. Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives.”
Edet added that combined teams of security operatives have been deployed to secure the area, conduct thorough searches, and prevent further lawlessness. The Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, has directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to lead additional Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers to track the perpetrators and effect arrests.
The traditional ruler of the area, Ter Kwande, confirmed the attack and expressed concern over the growing insecurity, noting that the nearest army units are one to one-and-a-half hours away. “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, calling on the federal government to establish a permanent military presence in Abande.
Abande and neighbouring communities have suffered repeated 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, while two security operatives attached to Operation Whirl Stroke were previously ambushed and killed.
Elijah Adeyemi
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