Gunmen Attack Benue Market, Kill 13, Abduct Traders in Kwande

At least 13 people were killed on Friday when gunmen attacked Anwase Market in Mbaikyor, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

Witnesses said the attackers entered the busy market shooting, forcing traders and residents to flee. Several stalls and shops were set ablaze, and a number of women were taken away as the gunmen retreated toward a nearby mountain.

An aide to the Kwande LGA Chairman, Ibi Andrew, confirmed the death toll, saying the council chairman, Vitalis Neji, had moved to the area with security personnel to restore order and prevent further violence.

A witness said the gunmen emerged from the mountain overlooking the community and began firing as they advanced into the market. Panic spread as people ran in different directions. Some traders were unable to escape before the attackers set parts of the market on fire.

As of Friday evening, the Benue State Police Command had not issued an official statement. Calls and messages to the police spokesperson, Udeme Edet, were not returned.

The attack comes two days after a similar incident in Abande community, also in Kwande LGA, where at least 16 people were killed during a market day assault on Tuesday.

Residents said the Abande attackers opened fire on traders, looted shops, and burned sections of the market. A community leader, Lawrence Akerigba, said the gunmen took cash belonging to traders before setting the market on fire.

He added that a mobile police officer on duty was among those killed. By late Tuesday night, security personnel were evacuating bodies to Jato-Aka, while search efforts continued for missing residents.

Akerigba said repeated attacks have forced many people to leave their homes, raising concerns about safety in Turan and surrounding communities.