The June 12 Democracy Day celebration in Benue has been tainted with the killing of three persons and grievous injuries sustained by two others in an overnight attack on Mtsewnem, Akondutyough village in the North Bank axis of Makurdi, the state capital.

The lawmaker representing Makurdi North at the Benue State House of Assembly, Alfred Berger, confirmed the attack to Channels Television in a Telephone conversation.

Berger said suspected herdsmen stormed the villages last night and killed three persons while two others have been taken to the hospital for treatment.

“Last night, suspected herdsmen attacked Mtsewnem, Akondutyough village in the North Bank axis of Makurdi, the Benue State capital, leaving three persons dead and two others critically injured and receiving treatment at the hospital as we speak,” the lawmaker said.

Efforts to get the Benue State Police Command to speak on the attack have not yielded any results as of the time of this report.

The Benue Police Command Public Relations Officer, Udeme Edet, is yet to respond to inquiries on the police WhatsApp platform for information sharing with journalists in Benue State.

Benus has in the past decade experienced incessant attacks. Last week, the Chief of Army Staff, Lieutenant General Olufemi Oluyede, visited Governor Hyacinth Alia as part of efforts to address the insecurity in the area.

The governor said Oluyede and the top military leadership visited to restore peace following the incessant killings by armed herders, militias, and other violent groups.

“The COAS has come not only to assess the situation personally but to take decisive action. He has already ordered the deployment of additional troops and will be holding high-level strategy meetings with all field commanders.

“He will also visit attacked communities, boost troop morale, and lead from the front lines. I commend the COAS and the Nigerian Army for this bold and proactive step. Our people deserve protection, justice, and peace,” he said. (Channels TV)