Senate Condemns Benue Killings, Demands Stronger Security Measures

The Senate has condemned the killing of 113 people in four separate attacks in Benue State, calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify operations to protect vulnerable communities and prevent further bloodshed.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende (APC, Benue North-East) during plenary on Thursday.

Presenting the motion, Udende said the attacks had claimed numerous lives, destroyed property and livelihoods, and worsened the humanitarian situation in affected communities across Benue North-East Senatorial District.

He said the first reported attack occurred in Sai, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, where 24 people were killed by armed assailants.

According to the senator, another attack on Bom and Aboajio villages in Mbazun Council Ward of Ukum Local Government Area claimed 63 lives.

He added that 15 people, including six mobile police officers deployed to protect residents, were killed in an attack on Ayilamo and Tombo Ward in Logo Local Government Area.

Udende also recalled the October 8 attack on Tse Shishi Nyako in Mbatian Local Government Area, describing the incidents as evidence of persistent insecurity threatening lives and livelihoods across the state.

He expressed concern that recurring violence had heightened fear among rural communities, disrupted farming and other economic activities, and increased the risk of displacement.

The senator called for coordinated action by the Federal Government, the Benue State Government and security agencies to restore peace, protect vulnerable residents and prevent further killings.

Seconding the motion, Senator Jide Ipinsagba (APC, Ondo North) expressed concern over the killing of security personnel, questioning the safety of civilians when officers deployed to protect them were also being targeted.

Senator Idiat Adebule (APC, Lagos West) commiserated with the affected communities and the police over the deaths, urging security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and prevent further attacks.

She also called for relief materials and humanitarian assistance for victims whose homes and sources of livelihood had been destroyed.

Adopting the motion, the Senate urged the Federal Government to halt recurring attacks in Ukum, Katsina-Ala and other vulnerable communities through coordinated security operations and adequate deployment of personnel.

It called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and other security chiefs to strengthen security operations in the affected areas.

The lawmakers also urged security agencies to establish effective early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms, investigate the killings, arrest those responsible and ensure sustained protection for vulnerable communities.

The Senate further directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), in collaboration with its Benue State counterpart, to provide relief materials and humanitarian support to displaced persons and other victims.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Udende for raising the matter and expressed concern over the implications of security personnel being killed while protecting civilians.

Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Resolutions and Compliance to engage relevant security agencies to determine the number of personnel required to secure the affected communities.

He urged service chiefs and other security authorities to strengthen deployments and take appropriate measures to prevent further attacks and loss of lives.

The Senate subsequently adopted all five prayers of the motion and observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims.