Bandits kill police officer, four others in Benue community

Armed bandits killed several people, including a police officer, during an attack on Abande community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred near the Cameroon border during market day, when armed bandits stormed the community, looted stalls, and set the market on fire.

A former councillor, Akerigbe Lawrence, told our correspondent that the attackers struck on a market day, killing several people.

He added, “The invaders looted stalls and set the market on fire. As of 11:55 p.m., some of the victims’ bodies were conveyed to Jato-Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area.”

Lawrence listed six victims whose bodies were recovered and taken to the morgue, including Lornunbe Agba, Chia Kile, Terseer Shenge, Mker Ugbe, Emmanuel Agba, Ortswen Gbinde, and a Mobile Police officer.

However, the police confirmed five casualties.

In a statement on Wednesday, 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, while police operatives were responding to the distress call, one Assistant Superintendent of Police attached to 13 Police Mobile Force, Makurdi, who was on special duty at Abande Community, was fatally injured. Regrettably, four members of the community also lost their lives.” Punch