Senate Demands Massive Security Deployment as Abba Moro Raises Alarm Over Fresh Benue Kïļļings
By Pan Afric Reporters
The Senate on Wednesday called for the immediate deployment of reinforced security personnel to troubled communities in Benue South following renewed attacks by suspected armed bandits that have claimed at least 20 lives, displaced residents and destroyed property worth millions of naira.
The call followed a motion sponsored by the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who urged the Federal Government and security agencies to act decisively to halt the wave of killings in Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo Ugboju communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to a statement issued by the Media Adviser to the Senate Minority Leader, Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, Senator Moro described the attacks as a grave threat to national security and called for urgent intervention to prevent further bloodshed.
Moving the motion titled “Urgent Need to Stop the Gruesome Murder of Inhabitants of Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and the Fresh Attacks on Ondo Ugboju in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State by Suspected Bandits,” the lawmaker lamented what he described as the sustained massacre of innocent and defenceless citizens.
He recalled that Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo Ugboju communities were attacked on separate occasions between Friday and Tuesday, resulting in the deaths of at least 20 people, while several others sustained serious injuries and many families were displaced.
Senator Moro reminded the Senate that the security and welfare of Nigerians remain the primary constitutional responsibility of government.
“The relentless and audacious nature of these attacks suggests a deliberate attempt to decimate these communities. If urgent security interventions are not immediately deployed, the situation will degenerate into a complete breakdown of law and order, alongside a looming food crisis as farmers are forced to abandon their farmlands out of fear for their lives,” he warned.
The Senate Minority Leader further expressed concern that apart from the fatalities, numerous residents were hospitalised with life-threatening injuries, while homes, farms and other properties were destroyed, forcing survivors to flee their ancestral communities.
Following deliberations, the Senate unanimously adopted the motion and resolved to condemn in the strongest terms the killings and destruction unleashed on the affected communities.
The upper legislative chamber also urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and other security agencies to immediately deploy additional security personnel and operational assets to Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi, Ondo Ugboju and neighbouring communities to restore peace and prevent further attacks.
The Senate further mandated the Inspector-General of Police to launch a comprehensive investigation into the attacks, identify those responsible and ensure they are prosecuted.
It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Reduction to urgently provide relief materials, including food, medical supplies and temporary shelter, for displaced persons and victims receiving treatment in hospitals.
In addition, the Senate mandated its Committees on Police Affairs, Defence, and National Security and Intelligence to engage security chiefs on the operational strategies being deployed in Benue South and ensure effective implementation of the Senate’s resolutions.
Responding after the motion was adopted, President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, sympathised with Senator Moro and the people of Benue South over the tragic attacks.
Akpabio stressed that every Nigerian deserves to live without fear and called on security agencies to rise to the challenge.
“Nigerians deserve the right to sleep in their houses with their eyes closed and go about their lawful activities without fear,” the Senate President said.
He expressed confidence that the Senate’s resolutions would strengthen security operations in the affected communities and help prevent similar attacks across the country.
The Senate also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims who lost their lives during the attacks in the three communities.
