The Senate on Thursday condemned the killing of 113 people in four attacks in the Benue North-East senatorial district, calling for stronger security measures to protect vulnerable communities.
The resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance sponsored by Emmanuel Udende (APC-Benue North-East) during plenary, urging immediate intervention to address the persistent violence.
Presenting the motion, Mr Udende said the attacks caused significant loss of lives, destroyed livelihoods and deepened the humanitarian crisis in affected communities across the senatorial district.
He said the first reported attack occurred in Sai, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, where 24 people were reportedly killed by armed assailants.
Mr Udende said the second attack occurred in Bom and Aboajio villages in Mbazun Council Ward of Ukum Local Government Area, claiming 63 lives during the incident.
He added that another attack in Ayilamo and Tombo Ward in the Logo Local Government Area resulted in 15 deaths, including six mobile police officers deployed to protect residents.
The senator also recalled the October 8 attack on Tse Shishi Nyako in Mbatian Local Government Area, describing it as another incident highlighting persistent insecurity.
He said the four attacks claimed 113 lives, leaving families bereaved, property destroyed and residents exposed to continued threats to their livelihoods and personal safety.
Mr Udende expressed concern that persistent violence had heightened fear among rural communities, disrupted farming and other economic activities, and increased the risk of displacement among residents.
He said coordinated action by the federal government, the Benue State Government and relevant security agencies was necessary to protect vulnerable communities, restore peace and prevent further killings.
Seconding the motion, Jide Ipinsagba (APC-Ondo North) expressed concern over the killing of security agents and called for stronger protection for communities facing repeated attacks.
He questioned the safety of civilians when security agents deployed to protect communities were also being killed during attacks by armed assailants operating in affected areas.
Idiat Adebule (APC-Lagos West) commiserated with affected communities and the police over the deaths of six mobile police officers during the reported attacks.
Ms Adebule acknowledged the sacrifices of security personnel and urged authorities to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, prevent further killings and provide assistance to affected residents.
She supported the provision of relief materials to victims whose homes and means of livelihood were destroyed during the attacks across the affected communities.
The Senate condemned the killings and acts of violence in the affected communities, calling for immediate measures to prevent further attacks and protect residents from harm.
It urged the federal government to halt recurring attacks in Ukum, Katsina-Ala and other vulnerable communities through coordinated security operations and adequate deployment of personnel to affected areas.
The upper legislative chamber called on the Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Army Saff and other security chiefs to strengthen operations in communities affected by the attacks.
It also urged security agencies to establish effective early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms, investigate the killings, apprehend perpetrators and ensure sustained protection for vulnerable communities across the affected areas.
The Senate called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), working with its Benue State counterpart, to provide relief materials and humanitarian assistance to displaced persons.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio commended Mr Udende for raising the matter and thanked senators for their contributions and expressions of sympathy for victims and affected families.
Mr Akpabio directed the Senate Committee on Resolutions and Compliance to engage relevant security agencies on the number of personnel required to secure the affected areas.
He said the killing of security officers raised serious concerns about the safety of unarmed civilians living in communities repeatedly targeted by armed attackers.
The Senate president urged service chiefs and security authorities to strengthen deployments and take appropriate measures to protect vulnerable communities against further attacks and loss of lives.
The Senate subsequently adopted all five prayers of the motion and observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims of the reported attacks.
(NAN)
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