Benue Market Attacked by Terrorists as More Than 16 Traders Killed

Benue Market Attacked by Terrorists as More Than 16 Traders Killed 

No fewer than 16 people were reportedly killed on Tuesday following an attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Abande settlement in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attack occurred at Abande market in the afternoon while traders and customers were carrying out their businesses. According to residents, the assailants stormed the market, opened fure, looted shops, and set parts of the market ablaze.

A community leader and former supervisory councillor in Kwande Local Government Area, Mr. Lawrence Akerigba, said the attackers carted away millions of naira from traders before burning the market.

“On Wednesday was Abande market day. People were buying and selling when the herders attacked. They looted shops, took away large sums of money and later set the market on fire,” Akerigba said.

He added that as of 11:55pm, bodies of some victims had been taken to Jato-Aka by personnel of the Mobile Police Force stationed in the area.

According to him, a Mobile Police officer, believed to be the unit commander on duty during the attack, was also k+lled.

Akerigba further revealed that several residents were still missing, while search efforts were ongoing.