Senate Orders Swift Intervention in Benue Following Excessive Killings

BENUE- The Nigerian Senate has ordered security personnel to immediately stop the spread of weapons around the nation in response to the many murders committed by alleged herdsmen in Benue State's Logo LGA.

To provide extra protection, the Senate also instructed the ministries of National Planning, Police Affairs, the Budget Office, and the Police Force to make sure that the 2025 budget includes enough money for the building of the Mobile Police Barracks at Ayilamo in Logo LGA.

The upper chamber also proposed establishing ranches in each of Nigeria's local governments to limit livestock migrations.

This followed a motion of urgent national concern presented by Senator Emmanuel Udende over the ongoing killings in Ayilamo, Anyiin, Uzer, Azege, and other communities in Logo LGA, Benue State.

Udende, who fell under Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate's standing orders, stated, "On the first day of December 2024, at Azege in Tombo council Ward of Logo local government area, 18 people were killed on their way to church service by suspected armed herders."

“These attacks allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen, have continued unabated, undermining security, peace, and the socio-economic stability of the affected communities.

“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.

“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.”

Udende contended that the lack of appropriate and prompt response by security forces has emboldened the perpetrators to carry out further terrible crimes.

Senator Titus Zam called the killings a recurring cycle that has wreaked devastation on the state's innocent citizens and urged the government to act immediately.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who also spoke during the discussion, expressed concern that Nigeria is at risk of being overwhelmed if food insecurity and insecurity of life and property persist, and urged security personnel to respond as soon as possible.

Senators Sunday Karimi and Victor Umeh both blamed the killings on the inability of authorities to stop open grazing. Umeh recalled how a Catholic priest and worshippers were murdered during a worship service in Benue State.

While condemning the killings, the Senate also urged the Chief of Defense Staff, the Inspector General of Police, and the Director-General of the Department of State Services to promptly deploy more security personnel and resources to the affected areas to restore peace and order.

The National Emergency Management Agency was also instructed to give quick relief items and aid to displaced people in the impacted areas.