Following incessant attacks and killings in parts of Benue State, the Nigeria’s Senate, has directed the ministries of National Planning, Police Affairs, Budget Office and the Police Force to ensure adequate funding in the 2025 budget for the competition of construction of the Mobile Police Barracks at Ayilamo to guarantee additional security.
This came on the heels of a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende, Benue North East and Senate Committee Chairman on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes, on the continuing wanton killings in Ayilamo, Anyiin, Uzer, Azege and other communities in Logo LGA, Benue North East Senatorial District.
Jerry Iorngaem, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to Senator Udende, told TNT that the Senate equally advised the setting up of ranches in each LGA across Nigeria with the view to restricting cattle movements.
Senator Udende who came under Orders 41 and 51 of the standing rules of the Senate, told his colleagues that , “on the first day of December, 2024 at Azege in Tombo council Ward of Logo local Government Area, 18 persons were killed on their way to church service by suspected armed herdsmen.”
According to the motion, “these attacks, allegedly perpetrated by armed herdsmen, have continued unabated, undermining security, peace and the socio-economic stability of the affected communities.”
“That between 22nd October 2024 and today, nearly fifty people have been killed, with 15 killed in Ayilamo, 25 in Anyiin and 6 in Uzer community respectively.
“That the continuous insecurity in these areas is in direct contravention of the constitutional provision under section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which provides that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.”
Senator Udende argued that lack of adequate and timely intervention by security agencies has emboldened the attackers to carry out further heinous attacks.
In his contribution, Senator Titus Zam described the killings as a recurring decimal that has raked massive havoc on innocent people in the state and urged the government to act decisively.
Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who also contributed on the debate, expressed concern that Nigeria is at risk of being overwhelmed if it continues to experience food insecurity, insecurity of lives and properties and advised the security operatives to rise to the challenge as quickly as possible.
For Senator Aliyu Wadada, the paradox remains that, while other nations are working towards technology advancement, “we are killing ourselves, shading blood as if we are killing mosquitoes. And the sad thing is that all efforts are not working. We are a religious people and we must act in a Godly manner.”
Senate minority leader, Abba Moro told his colleagues during the debate that the current killings in Benue and across the country should be investigated, alleging that, “when people come, kill and go away, it calls for concerns and I think it should be properly investigated. We need to understand what is happening. We must get to the root of this matter because I don’t think it is as simple as we see it.”
Senators Sunday Karimi and Victor Umeh both blamed the killings of the inability on authorities to stop open grazing.
While condemning the dastardly act, the Senate further directed the Chief of Defense Staff, the Inspector General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to immediately deploy additional security personnel and resources to the affected areas to restore peace and order.
