Nigerian Senate Demands Swift Response To Benue’s Security Crisis

Nigerian Senate Demands Swift Response To Benue’s Security Crisis
In response to the ongoing violence in Logo Local Government Area (LGA) of Benue State, attributed to suspected herdsmen attacks, the Nigerian Senate has called for urgent measures to address the escalating insecurity. The Senate issued several directives, including a call for security agencies to intensify efforts against the spread of arms nationwide. Additionally, the Senate recommended that funds be allocated in the 2025 budget for the construction of a Mobile Police Barracks in Ayilamo, Logo LGA, to bolster security in the troubled region.....KINDLY READ THE FULL STORY HERE▶

The Senate also proposed the establishment of ranches in all local governments across Nigeria, aiming to restrict the movement of cattle and mitigate the growing herder-farmer conflicts.

The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance presented by Senator Emmanuel Udende, who highlighted the ongoing attacks on communities like Ayilamo, Anyiin, Uzer, and Azege within Logo LGA. Udende reported that on December 1, 2024, 18 individuals were killed by suspected armed herdsmen while on their way to church in Azege. He also noted that nearly 50 people had been killed in the region in recent weeks, with 15 fatalities in Ayilamo, 25 in Anyiin, and 6 in Uzer.

Udende condemned the delayed response from security agencies, accusing them of emboldening the attackers and destabilizing the local communities. He referenced the Nigerian Constitution, which mandates the security and welfare of the people as the primary purpose of government.

Senator Titus Zam characterized the killings as a persistent tragedy that has devastated local communities, while Senator Jimoh Ibrahim warned that the ongoing insecurity could exacerbate Nigeria’s food crisis and threaten national stability.

Senator Aliyu Wadada lamented the contradiction of a country struggling with violence while others advance technologically, calling for a return to peace and moral values. Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro demanded a thorough investigation into the attacks to uncover the root causes of the violence, stressing the need for accountability, as attackers continue to kill and evade justice.

Senators Sunday Karimi and Victor Umeh linked the violence to the failure to enforce anti-open grazing laws, recalling previous incidents, such as the tragic killing of a Catholic priest and worshippers during a church service in Benue.

In addition to these recommendations, the Senate directed the Chief of Defense Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to deploy additional security personnel to restore peace in the affected areas. The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was also instructed to provide immediate relief materials and support for the displaced persons in the region.

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