An overnight attack by suspected herdsmen on Mtsewnem, Akondutyough village in the North Bank area of Makurdi, Benue State, has left several people feared dead and many others injured.
According to local sources, the attackers invaded the community around 3:00 a.m. while residents were asleep, carrying out a deadly assault that has sent shockwaves through the state capital.
Humanitarian worker and human rights advocate, Ukan Kurugh, described the incident as “deeply disturbing” in a statement released shortly after the attack.
“At 3:00 a.m. today, I received a heartbreaking distress call, accompanied by chilling video footage and photographs of yet another suspected herdsmen attack,” he said.
“This time, the horror unfolded in North Bank, less than 40 minutes from Makurdi town.”
Kurugh criticized the apparent lack of deterrence by authorities, saying, “These brazen attackers continue to strike with impunity, undeterred by the presence of state and federal authorities.
They have defied the President, the Governor, and our entire security apparatus.”
He expressed solidarity with the victims, adding, “To the wounded and to the families who lost loved ones, my heart grieves with you. Your pain is our pain. We will not turn away. We will not be silent.
We are wide awake and will continue to speak, to mourn, and to demand action.”
As of the time of this report, attempts to reach the spokesperson for the Benue State Police Command, Edet Udeme, were unsuccessful.