Troops have repelled suspected terrorists who stormed Anwase village in Benue State’s Kwande Local Government Area.
DSP Udeme Edet, the State Command spokesperson, confirmed the attack in response to questions on Friday.
Edet stated, “It is true, there was an attack on Anwase, but our gallant officers repelled them, and there was no casualty.
Our correspondent said that suspected bandits raided Anwase village on Friday and burned down many buildings.
According to a village source, some locals were injured during the invasion, which took place about midday on Friday.
Anwase, an adjacent village to Abande, was assaulted by terrorists on Tuesday, killing six people, including a mobile police officer.
Lawrence Akerigbe, a former councillor in the local administration, told our correspondent on Saturday that suspected bandits stormed the Anwase village on Friday.
The former councilman, who claimed to have visited the damaged village on Saturday, stated that the security personnel’s fast involvement saved the region.
He said, “The attack on Anwase happened at about noon on Friday; the invaders burnt down about 11 houses.
“Some people were also injured during the attack, but fortunately, security operatives that were deployed to Abande community, which was attacked three days earlier, were on patrol when they ran into the invaders.
“Immediately the bandits sighted the security men, and they fled; that was what saved the situation.
Bandits’ recurrent attacks on Benue State communities, particularly in Kwande LGA, have raised concerns about the area’s security.
Anwase was also targeted on Christmas Day in 2024, with around 28 people reportedly slain.
The former councillor bemoaned that 76 individuals had been killed in the local government in the last two years, with many neighborhoods being targeted repeatedly.
