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Communities in Turan District, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, are reeling from what residents describe as a violent assault by suspected Fulani herdsmen on market day, leaving Tse Kile and Abande markets reportedly engulfed in flames and widespread panic.
Social media posts circulating from local sources, including one by Barnabas Vershima Atsaregh, claim that the attackers targeted the bustling markets during peak trading hours, setting structures ablaze while carrying out serious killings in nearby Nyiev Ya and Mbaikyor areas. The incidents are said to have occurred in Abande and surrounding villages, including Anwase, with reports of scores killed as bandits ransacked homes and communities.
In a related appeal shared online, Ijoimem Cephas Ngutor urged prayers for the affected people of Abande and Anwase in Turan, describing the situation as a ransacking by bandits that resulted in significant loss of life. Eyewitness accounts on platforms like Facebook highlight chaos, with markets set on fire and ongoing violence forcing residents to flee for safety.
Kwande LGA, particularly the Turan axis, has faced recurrent security challenges in recent months, including ambushes on farmers, traders, and even security personnel attributed to armed herders. While specific casualty figures from this latest incident remain unverified by official sources, local reports suggest multiple fatalities and injuries, exacerbating fears in the agrarian region where such attacks often disrupt livelihoods and displace families.
Benue State has long grappled with farmer-herder clashes, often linked to disputes over land and grazing routes, leading to cycles of violence in border areas like Kwande. Residents have called for urgent intervention by security agencies to restore calm and prevent further escalation as communities mourn losses and seek protection.
Authorities are yet to issue an official statement on the reported attack, but the incident underscores the persistent insecurity in parts of the state despite ongoing efforts to address communal tensions. Affected families and displaced persons continue to appeal for support and divine intervention amid the unfolding crisis.
