Senate Breaks Silence: “No More Empty Visits – Benue Needs Justice

The Nigerian Senate has urged for urgent and concrete action to halt the ongoing violence and killings plaguing communities in Benue State.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

This appeal came as lawmakers strongly condemned the latest spate of deadly attacks in the region.

In a press briefing on Tuesday, Senate spokesperson Yemi Adaramodu stressed the need for swift, united, and sustainable interventions to address the crisis. He announced that a Senate delegation, in collaboration with the executive, would soon visit the affected communities to console victims and engage directly with stakeholders on the ground.

“We are weary of making condolence visits. The bloodshed must end. It will take collective efforts—from the federal and state governments to security agencies and local communities—to achieve lasting peace,” Adaramodu said.

He also voiced the Senate’s full support for President Bola Tinubu’s planned visit to Benue State on Wednesday, describing it as a significant step in bolstering peace and security efforts.

“The President’s presence tomorrow will be a major boost to ongoing initiatives,” he stated.

Call for Security Summit

According to Naija News, Adaramodu reiterated the Senate’s earlier demand for a national security summit, noting that recent developments in Benue and other states underscore the need for such a dialogue. He described the upcoming summit as a crucial platform for uncovering hidden security threats and strengthening national responses.

“When we convene the security summit, any lingering, unknown problems will be brought to light,” he added. “We’ve provided enough budgetary support to enable security agencies to perform. It’s clear that our efforts have made an impact.”

Clarifying Senate’s Commitment

Adaramodu also defended the Senate’s work ethic, pushing back against public criticism over the chamber’s sitting days. He emphasized that senators often exceed the constitutional minimum of 181 plenary days annually.

“There are several months when we take no breaks, aside from globally observed holidays. In fact, we meet well beyond the minimum plenary requirement,” he said.