Janet Samuel, Abuja
Senate has resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu and the leadership of the National Assembly over resolutions and recommendations of 8th,9th and 10th Assembly toward ending killings and insecurity in Nigeria.
Senate resolution followed adoption of a motion at plenary on Wednesday titled”Continued killings by suspected terrorists parading as herdsmen and increasing insecurity in Kwande, Ukum,Logo and Katsina Ala local governments of Benue State.” sponsored by Sen.Emmamuel Udende of Benue North-East
Leading the debate, Senator Udende said it was sad that no fewer than 50 persons have been killed in fresh attacks on several communities in Kwande, Ukum, Logo and Katsina Ala Local Government Areas of Benue state by terrorist parading as herdsmen.
He mentioned that, some of the affected communities which were attacked on March, 5th include Tyuluv, Borikyo, Kundav, Ugbaam, Uyam, Udedeku, Yaaiwa, Nyihemba, Tomatar , Menakwagh , Yiase and Agura all in the Benue North- East Senatorial District.
He said the residents of the villages and communities now find themselves targeted on a daily basis by heavily armed terrorist herdsmen.
This, he said left many homes completely burnt down and numerous residents still missing while the perpetrators, however, remained elusive and have not been apprehended.
He added that the situation has impacted negatively on the economic lives of the people and the resultant effect of shortage of farm produce was one of the reasons for astronomical rise in prices of agricultural produce and inflation in Nigeria.
He expressed worry that despite the public outcry and previous resolutions of the National Assembly on criminal activities of the terrorist parading as herdsmen, there seems to be no visible action on the part of government to curtail, abate or totally stop activities of the criminal elements.
Senate in its further resolutions urged the Service Chiefs, Inspector General of Police and heads of other security agencies to as a matter of urgency deploy security personnel to address continuing and ongoing attacks by armed terrorist parading as herdsmen in the affected communities.
Senate also called for heightened surveillance and invest in surveillance technology and equipment to detect and prevent future attacks.
It also called for a review of the security architecture in the areas affected to forestall the continuous attacks.
It further requested the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilise relief materials to the people displaced by the recent attacks in the communities of Benue.
President of Senate, Godswill Akpabio in his remark said the primary responsibility of the state government was to ensure security of lives and properties.
” We expect that the state government will marshall out plans with the immediate security operatives within the affected states and see what they can do before bringing it to the President.
