Fresh violence erupted in Benue State on Friday, February 7, 2026, as suspected bandits launched another attack on Anwase village in Kwande Local Government Area, setting multiple homes ablaze and forcing residents to flee.
Eyewitnesses confirmed that at least 11 houses were torched during the midday assault, sending thick smoke into the air and plunging the community into panic.
Midday Attack Sparks Chaos as Residents Flee
According to local sources, the attackers stormed the village around noon, moving swiftly and igniting houses as terrified villagers ran for safety.
“It happened so fast. People were just running as the houses started burning,” a resident recounted. “We thank God that the security men were close by.”
While no deaths were recorded, several residents sustained minor injuries during the chaos.
Security Operatives Force Bandits to Retreat
Security operatives reportedly intervened promptly, engaging the attackers and forcing them to withdraw before further damage could be done.
The bandits were said to have encountered patrol teams that had earlier been deployed to Abande community, another village in the same local government area that suffered a deadly attack earlier in the week.
That previous assault reportedly claimed six lives, including a mobile police officer, raising alarm over the escalating insecurity in the region.
Community Leader Raises Alarm Over Repeated Attacks
A former councillor, Lawrence Akerigbe, described the situation in Anwase as deeply troubling, noting that the community has a long history of violent attacks.
He recalled a Christmas Day 2024 raid in which over 28 people were killed, leaving lasting trauma among residents.
“Families here live in constant fear. This community has seen too much bloodshed,” he said.
Rising Death Toll in Kwande LGA
Authorities have warned that the persistent pattern of attacks across Kwande Local Government Area continues to threaten lives and property. Reports indicate that no fewer than 76 people have been killed in the area over the past two years due to violent raids.
Security agencies have urged residents to remain vigilant as patrols are intensified to curb further attacks.
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