At least 16 people, mostly traders, were killed on Tuesday afternoon when suspected armed herdsmen attacked Abande market in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan district, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

Eyewitnesses report that the assailants stormed the busy market, opened indiscriminate fire on civilians, looted shops of cash and goods worth millions of naira, and set parts of the market on fire. A Mobile Police officer on duty was also among the dead.

Community leader Lawrence Akerigba described the unprovoked assault, noting that attackers carted away large sums of money before torching the market. Local search efforts have recovered at least 17 bodies, though official police confirmation stands at five deaths initially (including the officer), with the toll expected to rise.

Governor Hyacinth Alia has strongly condemned the attack and ordered security forces to hunt down the perpetrators amid growing outrage over persistent insecurity in the region.

The incident highlights ongoing farmer-herder tensions and calls for urgent federal intervention in Benue State’s security challenges.