MAKURDI, Benue State — Suspected armed herdsmen launched a deadly assault on the bustling Abande market in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026, killing at least 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer.
The attack occurred in the afternoon around 5:30 p.m., when traders and residents were conducting business. Gunmen reportedly stormed the market, opened fire indiscriminately on civilians, looted shops and goods worth millions of naira, and set market stalls and homes ablaze, forcing many to flee into nearby bushes.
Eyewitnesses and local leaders, including former supervisory councillor Lawrence Akerigba, described the invaders as large groups who targeted the community, carting away cash and property before torching the area. Confirmed victims include several named traders and the on-duty Mobile Police commander.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed receiving a distress call about the attack on police personnel and community members, though initial reports varied on the exact death toll, with some sources citing 16 or more fatalities.Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the incident as a cowardly act against innocent civilians and directed security agencies to intensify operations, pursue the perpetrators, and restore safety in the affected areas.
The assault has heightened fears amid ongoing farmer-herder tensions in the region, with residents calling for urgent federal intervention to curb recurring violence.As of February 5, 2026, no arrests have been reported, and investigations continue while displaced community members grapple with the aftermath of the tragedy.
