Five Killed, Seven Injured in Armed Attack on Benue Market

Kwande, Benue State – Suspected armed herders launched a deadly assault on Yanriwa Market in Benue State’s Kwande Local Government Area on Saturday, leaving five traders dead and seven others injured.

Market Attack During Peak Trading Hours

Local resident Lawrence Akerigba reported that the attack occurred around 3 p.m. while the market was bustling with trading activities. According to eyewitness accounts, the gunmen stormed the marketplace and opened fire indiscriminately, creating chaos and bloodshed.

Details of the Attack

“The herdsmen invaded the market while people were busy buying and selling,” Akerigba explained. “Five people were killed on the spot, seven others sustained injuries, and many are still missing. The search for the missing continues.”

Security Concerns in the Region

Akerigba expressed frustration over the lack of additional security personnel in the area, noting that government promises following a deadly Christmas Day attack in 2024 – which claimed over 20 farmers’ lives – remained unfulfilled.

“The federal government promised to send more security operatives to our communities to help displaced farmers return home, but nothing has been done. We have been abandoned to our fate,” he lamented.

Impact on Local Communities

The Yanriwa Market, situated in a mountainous region frequented by residents of Ikyurav and Turan communities, had become a vital economic hub after the Anwase road became inaccessible due to persistent insecurity.

The ongoing violence has forced the closure of many schools, churches, and other markets in the area. Akerigba made an urgent plea for government intervention to restore safety and normalcy to the region.

Call for Increased Security Measures

“The security personnel here are doing their best, but they are too few to secure the area effectively,” Akerigba stated. “We need urgent help to allow our children to return to school and for farmers to go back to their farms.”

Currently, all schools across five council wards affected by the crisis remain closed as the security situation continues to deteriorate.

Full credit to the original publisher: The Herald