FIVE DEAD, INCLUDING POLICE OFFICER, IN BANDIT ATTACK IN BENUE
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By: Fasasi Hammad
Armed bandits on Wednesday attacked Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, killing several people, including a police officer.
The attack occurred near the Cameroon border on market day, when the assailants stormed the community, looted market stalls, and set parts of the market ablaze.
A former councillor, Akerigbe Lawrence, told our correspondent that the bandits struck at a time when the community was busiest. “The invaders looted stalls and set the market on fire. By 11:55 p.m., some of the victims’ bodies had been conveyed to Jato-Aka by Mobile Police personnel stationed in the area,” he said.
Lawrence listed six victims whose bodies were recovered, including Lornunbe Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba, Ortswen Gbinde, and a Mobile Police officer. However, the State Police Command confirmed five casualties.
In a statement, State Command 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 Community, was fatally injured. Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives.”
The police confirmed that combined teams of operatives and other security agencies had been deployed to secure the community, conduct thorough searches, and prevent further attacks. “The deceased persons have been recovered and deposited at the mortuary,” Edet added.
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The state Commissioner of Police, Ifeanyi Emenari, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to proceed immediately to Jato-Aka with additional Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers to coordinate operations, track the perpetrators, and effect arrests.
Confirming the attack, the traditional ruler of the area, Ter Kwande, lamented the insecurity. “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. He called on the federal government to establish a permanent military presence in Abande, noting that the nearest army units at Jato-Aka and Agbatse are about one to one-and-a-half hours away due to poor terrain and lack of network coverage.
Abande and neighbouring communities have been repeatedly targeted by violent attacks. On Christmas Day 2024, over 28 people were killed in Anwase. Earlier this year, on 15 January 2026, a farmer and his son were killed in Imande Avur Abande, and two security operatives attached to Operation Whirl Stroke were ambushed and killed in previous incidents.
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