Gunmen killed three people in Anyiase community, Kwande local government area of Benue State, in a fresh attack that occurred between Thursday, July 2, and Friday morning, July 3, 2026. The deadly incident comes less than 24 hours after another attack on a rural community in Okpokwu LGA, heightening tensions in the region.
Victims Include Farmers
According to a former Supervisory Councillor, Akerigba Lawrence, the gunmen killed two farmers identified as Asongo Nagwebe and Tarzan Agbahegh. The attack on farms at Anyiase in Moon Council Ward began at about 3:20pm on Thursday, July 2, 2026.
A man and a woman sustained serious injuries and were rushed to Jato-Aka General Hospital for treatment. The male victim later died while being referred to Makurdi for further medical attention.
Road Attack on Commercial Bus
In a separate incident on Friday morning, the gunmen opened fire on a commercial bus after blocking the road at Kyoawen Junction. The number of casualties from this road attack could not be immediately ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
The Chairman of the LGA, Vitalis Neji, and the state police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, had not confirmed or commented on the deadly incident as of press time.
Previous Attacks in Benue
This attack follows the killing of former Benue State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), David Salifu, by suspected bandits along the Wukari-Makurdi road. The assailants ordered Salifu out of his vehicle and shot him after he resisted. Salifu died in the early hours of Friday, July 3, 2026, at the Benue State University Teaching Hospital in Makurdi.
Additionally, gunmen killed the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) chairman, Ardo Muhammad, and his companion in Benue State. The state police spokesperson, DSP Udeme Edet, said the command has launched an investigation into that ambush attack.
