The Senate announced on Wednesday its intention to convene a meeting with President Bola Tinubu to address the escalating insecurity in Benue State and across Nigeria.
The decision was reached following a motion titled “Motion On the Continuing Killings by Suspected Terrorists Parading as Herdsmen and Increasing Insecurity in Kwande, Ukum, Logo And Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas in the Benue North-East Senatorial District Of Benue State,” presented by Senator Emmanuel Udende, representing Benue North-East.
The motion highlighted the urgent need for intervention in the wake of ongoing violence in various communities, with reports indicating a significant loss of life. Maj. Gen. Sunday Igbinomwanhia, the Force Commander of Operation Whirl Stroke, confirmed that 30 people had been killed in the clashes between militia groups.
Meanwhile, the state Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Adesina, reported that five corpses had been recovered, with search operations ongoing to locate missing individuals.
Senator Udende expressed deep concern over the unabated attacks on communities in Benue State, particularly in the Benue North-East Senatorial District, where over 50 persons had reportedly been killed by armed terrorists posing as herdsmen.
In response to the crisis, the Senate resolved to take decisive action, including:
- Arranging a meeting with President Tinubu to discuss measures to end the killings of farmers by armed herdsmen in Benue North-East and across Nigeria.
- Extending condolences to the affected communities in Benue North-East.
- Leading a delegation to engage with the Governor of Benue State to assess efforts and challenges in addressing the situation.
- Urging the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff, Inspector General of Police, and other security agency heads to deploy personnel to affected areas to flush out armed terrorists and restore normalcy.
- Enhancing surveillance and investing in technology and equipment to prevent future attacks.
- Reviewing the security architecture in the region to prevent further violence.
The Senate’s resolution underscores the gravity of the situation and the need for concerted efforts to safeguard lives and property in affected communities.