By Ayo Kehinde
At least 17 persons have been confirmed dead following a violent attack on the Abande settlement in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, within the Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
The massacre occurred when suspected terrorist herdsmen invaded the community’s market square during trading hours.
The attack took place in the early hours of Tuesday, February 3, 2026, while residents were actively buying and selling.
Witnesses report that the armed herders suddenly appeared and opened fire on the crowd, killing scores and injuring many others. In the ensuing chaos, shops were looted of goods and cash, and the market square was set ablaze as traders scrambled for safety.
A community leader, Lawrence Akerigba, confirmed that some of the victims’ bodies were evacuated to Jato-Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force.
He listed several of the deceased, including Iornunbe Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba, Ortswen Gbinde, and a Mobile Police officer who was the unit commander on duty.
Akerigba noted that the latest assault underscores the worsening security situation in Turan and surrounding villages.
He explained that Abande is located near Anwase, where more than 28 people were killed on Christmas Day in 2024.
“Since the beginning of the year, our people are attacked every day; more than 76 people have been killed, including security officers,” he stated.
In a swift reaction, Governor Hyacinth Alia condemned the attack, stating that the terrorists have again dared the state and the Nigerian security system.
He vowed that the perpetrators would be addressed in “a language they understand better.”
In a statement issued by his Chief Press Secretary, Sir Tersoo Kula, the governor said:
“My heart goes out to the peaceful people of Abande. This cowardly act of terror, which claimed innocent lives, including a gallant police officer, and led to the destruction of homes, is an assault on our shared humanity and an affront to the peace and security of Benue State.”
Governor Alia assured the people that his administration would not relent in its duty to protect lives and property.
He has already directed relevant security agencies to intensify operations in the affected areas, track down the perpetrators, and restore safety to the communities.
He also pledged to strengthen collaboration between federal security authorities and local intelligence structures to prevent future occurrences.
