By Jerry Iorngaem, Abuja
The leadership of the Senate will be meeting President Bola Almed Tinubu, Commander -in- Chief of the Armed Forces, Federal Republic of Nigeria, towards ending the continued killings of farmers by armed hersmen in Benue North East and Nigeria at large.
This development follows a motion of urgent public importance moved by Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende , Benue North East, in pursuant to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Rules 2023 (As amended), on the continued killings by suspected terrorists, parading as herdsmen and increasing insecurity in Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas (LGAs), Benue North East Senatorial District of Benue State.
The Motion which was seconded by Senator Ali Ndume and former Senate president Almed Lawan, the Senate, in resolving on the motion also conveyed the Red Chamber’s condolence to the people of Benue North East Senatorial District and will be sending a delegation to the Governor of Benue State to ascertain his efforts on the killing.
Senator Udende, while moving the motion expressed deepest sadness that no fewer than 50 persons have been killed in fresh attacks on several communities in his districts including Tyuluv, Borikyo, Kundav, Ugbaam, and Uyam in Ukum LG, Others are Udedeku, Yaaiwa, Nyihemba, Tomatar, Menakwagh, Yiase and Agura. In Kwande LG among other places.
The Chairman Senate Standing Committee on Anti-Corruption and Financial Crimes is concerned that in addition to the loss of lives and property, the armed attacks in Benue North East have already impacted negatively on the economic lives of the people blaming the resultant effect of shortage of farm produce and the astronomical rise in the prices of agricultural produce on same.
Sen Udende further expressed concern that despite the public outcry and previous resolutions of the National Assembly as regards the criminal activities of these terrorist parading as herdsmen, there seems to be no visible action on the part of government to curtail, abate or totally stop the criminal activities of these criminal elements.
The Senate, therefore, urged heads of Nigerian military formations and heads of other security agencies to as a matter of urgency, deploy security personnel to address the continued and ongoing attacks by armed terrorist parading as herdsmen on communities in Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State.
In addition to calling for the review of the security architecture in the areas to forestall the continuous attacks, Senate further called for heighten surveillance and investment in surveillance technology, to detect and prevent future attacks as well as called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilize relief materials to the people displaced by these recent attacks, even as it mandates the relevant committees of the Senate to ensure compliance.
The Red Chamber, which observed a minute silence in honour of persons killed in the attacks, commended Senator Udende, for his swift response to bringing the matter of the killings to the senate.
He concluded that thousands of people are rendered homeless in parts of Benue North East, with scores sustaining various degrees of injuries as several homes are completely burnt down and numerous residents still missing while the perpetrators remain elusive. Worse hit are women, children and the elderly, who are trekking long distances in search of safe places.
