Deadly Attacks in Benue and Kaduna: 13 Killed, Catholic Priest Among 11 Abducted

In recent violent incidents, 13 people have been killed during an attack on Anwase market in Kwande Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State. The assailants, believed to be herders, also caused significant damage to property.

This event follows a similar attack two days prior in the Abande community within the same LGA, where at least 16 individuals, including a mobile police officer, lost their lives.

Concurrently, in Kaduna State, an assault on the Karku community in Kauru LGA led to the deaths of three people and the abduction of 11 others, including a Catholic priest.

Confirming the Benue incident, Ibi Andrew, an aide to the Kwande LGA Chairman, reported that 13 fatalities had been confirmed. He stated that the council chairman, Vitalis Neji, had joined security agencies in the area to restore peace and prevent further escalation.

Witness accounts suggest the attackers emerged from a nearby mountain, opening fire indiscriminately, which caused widespread panic among market attendees.

The Benue State Police Command has not yet officially confirmed the market attack.

However, on February 6, 2026, police in the Ukum LGA of Benue State announced the apprehension of a suspect and the recovery of live ammunition. According to Police Public Relations Officer Udeme Edet, the suspect, identified as Saamoga, also known as Aleki, was intercepted while allegedly transporting ammunition from Gbagir to Zaki-Biam on a motorcycle.

During a stop-and-search operation in the Tse Dubem area of Ukum LGA, the suspect attempted to flee but was shot in the leg and apprehended.

A subsequent search of the suspect yielded 117 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition concealed in socks within his handbag, along with charms and a mobile phone.

During initial questioning, the suspect admitted that the ammunition was destined for Taraba State. He was taken to the General Hospital in Zaki-Biam for medical treatment but later died.

The command also reported repelling an attack by suspected armed Fulani herders on the Edikwu Icho community in Apa LGA.

In Kaduna, the attack on Karku community occurred early Saturday morning, just two days after Governor Uba Sani received 172 Christian worshippers who had been abducted from Kurmin Wali, Kajuru LGA, on January 18.

Very Rev. Fr. Jacob Shanet, Chancellor of the Catholic Diocese of Kafanchan, confirmed the deaths of three individuals and the abduction of several others. He stated that the bandits attacked the community, killing Jacob Dan’azumi, Maitala Kaura, and Alhaji Kusari, and abducted Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, along with 10 other residents.

Fr. Shanet urged prayers for the safe return of the abducted priest and the other victims.

A statement from the diocese identified the abducted priest as Rev. Fr. Nathaniel Asuwaye, the parish priest of Holy Trinity Catholic Church, Karku, Kauru LGA, Kaduna State.

"This terrible event occurred at about 03:20 at his residence, and the situation was described by the villagers as an act of invasion by a group of terrorists," the statement read.

(Reporting by John Shiklam and George Okoh)