Gunmen Raid Benue Market, Abduct Scores of Women, Set Stalls Ablaze

Several women have reportedly been abducted following an attack by suspected armed herdsmen on Anwase Market in Mbaikyor, Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.

The attackers were said to have stormed the community on Friday afternoon, firing sporadically to create panic before setting parts of the market on fire and abducting numerous market women.

According to reports, the assailants emerged from a nearby mountain and launched the attack without warning, causing traders and residents to flee in different directions for safety. By the time locals attempted to organise a response, the market had already been engulfed in flames.

An eyewitness disclosed that the gunmen forcefully took the victims and escaped with them towards the mountainous area before security operatives could arrive at the scene.

As of the time of filing this report, the Benue State Police Command had not officially confirmed the incident.