Suspected armed herders have attacked police personnel and residents of Abande Community in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, killing a police officer and four civilians.
The Benue State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Tuesday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Udeme Edet, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police.
According to the statement, the attack occurred on February 3, 2026, at about 5:30 p.m., when the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Jato-Aka received a distress call that suspected armed herder bandits, in large numbers, had launched an assault on police personnel stationed in Abande Community, as well as residents of the area.
Police operatives were immediately mobilised to the scene, where they engaged the attackers in a fierce confrontation. During the exchange, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) attached to the 13 Police Mobile Force (PMF), Makurdi, who was on special duty in Abande Community, sustained fatal injuries.
The Police Command also confirmed that four members of the community were killed during the attack.
Following the incident, combined teams of police operatives and other security agencies were deployed to the affected area to restore calm, conduct a thorough search, and prevent any further breakdown of law and order. The bodies of the deceased have since been recovered and deposited at a mortuary.
In response to the attack, the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari, directed the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations to immediately proceed to Jato-Aka with additional Mobile Force personnel and Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) to coordinate intensive operations aimed at tracking down and arresting the perpetrators.
The Police Command commiserated with the families of the deceased and the people of Abande Community, assuring residents that all necessary measures were being taken to bring those responsible to justice and restore lasting peace to the area.
The Command added that further updates would be made available as investigations and security operations continue.
