The Senate on Wednesday ordered the immediate deployment of heavy security personnel to troubled communities in Benue South following renewed attacks that left at least 20 people dead in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The resolution followed a motion sponsored by the Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who raised the alarm over the gruesome killings in Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and the latest attack on Ondo Ugboju, warning that the violence could spiral into a full-scale humanitarian and food security crisis if urgent action is not taken.
The motion, titled “MOTION ON THE 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,” received the unanimous backing of the Senate, which also observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims.
According to Senator Moro, armed bandits launched coordinated attacks on Akpachi-Ugboju on Friday, Otukpo-Nobi on Sunday and Ondo Ugboju on Tuesday, killing scores of residents, injuring many others, displacing families and destroying properties worth millions of naira.
Presenting the motion, Moro reminded lawmakers that Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution places the security and welfare of citizens as the primary responsibility of the government.
He lamented the sustained attacks on defenseless communities, stating:
“NOTES with utter dismay and heavy heart the horrific and unprovoked attacks on the peaceful, agrarian Communities of Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo Ugboju communities of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, by suspected Armed Bandits between Friday, Sunday of last week and Tuesday this week.”
The lawmaker further noted that the attacks claimed two lives in Akpachi-Ugboju, sixteen in Otukpo-Nobi and two more in the latest assault on Ondo Ugboju, bringing the confirmed death toll to 20.
He warned that the relentless violence suggested a deliberate attempt to wipe out the affected communities, adding that continued attacks could trigger a total breakdown of law and order while forcing farmers to abandon their farmlands, with serious implications for food production.
Following deliberations, the Senate resolved to observe a minute’s silence for the victims, condemn the killings in the strongest terms and urge the Inspector General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and other security agencies to immediately deploy heavy security personnel to Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi, Ondo Ugboju and neighbouring communities.
The Red Chamber also directed the Inspector General of Police to launch a comprehensive investigation, identify the perpetrators and ensure they face prosecution.
Lawmakers further called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to urgently provide food, medical supplies, shelter and other relief materials to displaced residents and injured victims receiving treatment.
The Senate equally mandated its Committees on Police Affairs, Defence, and National Security and Intelligence to engage security chiefs, assess ongoing operations in Benue South and ensure full implementation of its resolutions.
Responding to the motion, Senate President Godswill Akpabio sympathised with Senator Moro and the people of Benue South over the tragedy.
He said Nigerians deserve to sleep peacefully in their homes and carry out their daily activities without fear, expressing confidence that the Senate’s resolutions would help prevent further bloodshed in the affected communities and across the country.
