Armed bandits suspected to be herders have launched a deadly attack on Yanriwa Market in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, killing five traders and injuring seven others.
In a telephone interview, a resident of the community, Lawrence Akerigba said the gunmen stormed the market around 3 p.m. while trading activities were ongoing.
According to Akerigba, the attackers opened fire indiscriminately, shooting at anyone in sight and causing chaos and bloodshed.
He lamented that despite previous government promises, no additional security personnel had been deployed to the area following a deadly Christmas Day attack in 2024 that left over 20 farmers dead.
“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,” Akerigba said.
He explained that Yanriwa Market, located in a mountainous area and patronized by residents of Ikyurav and Turan communities, had been a lifeline for farmers who had to establish a new market route after the Anwase road became impassable due to ongoing attacks.
“The herdsmen invaded the market while people were busy buying and selling. Five people were killed on the spot, seven others sustained injuries, and many are still missing. The search for the missing continues,” he added.
Akerigba noted that many schools, churches, and markets in the area have been shut due to persistent attacks, and he appealed for urgent deployment of more security forces to restore safety.
“The security personnel here are doing their best, but they are too few to secure the area effectively. We need urgent help to allow our children to return to school and for farmers to go back to their farms,” he said.
Currently, all schools in the five council wards affected by the crisis remain closed.