Gunmen suspected to be armed herders have killed at least 13 people in a fresh attack on a community in Benue State.
The assailants reportedly stormed Anwase Market in Mbaikyor, Kwande Local Government Area, on Friday, opening fire on residents and traders before setting the market ablaze and abducting several women.
Confirming the incident in a telephone interview with Channels Television, an aide to the Kwande Local Government Chairman, Ibi Andrew, said 13 persons were killed in the attack. He added that the council chairman, Vitalis Neji, in collaboration with security agencies, had mobilised to the area to restore calm and prevent further violence.
An eyewitness said the attackers invaded the community from a nearby mountain, firing sporadically and causing panic among traders and residents. The gunmen were said to have set several market stalls on fire before fleeing with abducted women towards the mountainous area.
As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had yet to confirm the attack. Efforts to reach the police spokesperson, Udeme Edet, were unsuccessful, as calls and messages sent to her phone were not returned.
The latest assault occurred barely two days after another deadly attack on Abande community, also in Kwande Local Government Area, where at least 16 people were killed.
Residents said the Abande attack took place on Tuesday afternoon during market hours, when suspected armed herders stormed the area, opened fire on civilians, looted shops and set parts of the market on fire.
A community leader and former supervisory councillor in Kwande LGA, Lawrence Akerigba, said the attackers carted away millions of naira from traders before setting the market ablaze. He noted that it was Abande market day and the area was crowded with buyers and sellers when the gunmen struck.
Akerigba added that by about 11:55pm, some of the victims’ bodies were being conveyed to Jato-Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area. He also disclosed that a mobile police officer, believed to be the unit commander on duty, was among those killed.
According to him, several residents remain missing, while searches are ongoing. He lamented that the repeated attacks had forced many residents to flee their homes, spreading fear across Turan and neighbouring communities.
He said the incidents highlighted the worsening security situation in the area, noting that residents had no clear place of refuge or assurance of protection amid the continued violence.
