At least 16 persons are feared dead following a violent attack on Abande market in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan District of Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.
The incident occurred on Tuesday afternoon while traders and customers were engaged in routine commercial activities. According to residents, suspected armed herdsmen invaded the market, fired shots indiscriminately, looted shops, and set sections of the market on fire.
A community leader and former supervisory councillor in Kwande Local Government Area, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, described the attack as brutal and devastating.
“People were peacefully buying and selling on market day when the attackers struck. They opened fire, looted shops, took away millions of naira belonging to traders, and later set the market ablaze,” he said.
He further disclosed that by late Wednesday night, the bodies of some victims had been recovered and evacuated to Jato-Aka by operatives of the Mobile Police Force deployed to the area.
According to him, a Mobile Police officer, believed to be the commander on duty at the time of the attack, was also killed.
“As of 11:55pm, some of the bodies had been taken to Jato-Aka by Mobile Police officers. Sadly, the commander on duty was among those killed,” Akerigba added.
He noted that several residents were still missing, while security personnel and community members continued search efforts in nearby areas.
The attack has thrown the community into mourning, with residents urging the government and security agencies to intensify efforts to safeguard lives and property and prevent further violence.