Attack on Edo Farming Communities: Senate Urges FG to: Deploy Additional Security Personnel, To Affected Areas To Maintain Law, Order
By Raphael Ekpang
Abuja (Core Reporters) The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to: deploy additional Security Personnel, including military and Specialized Tactical Units, to restore and maintain law and order in some communities in Edo South Senatorial District attacked by bandits.
This was contained in the resolution of the Senate on a motion “Heinous Attack on farming communities in Edo State: Urgent Need for the Federal Government Intervention.” Sponsored by Sen. Imasuen, Neda Bernards (Edo South).
Sen. Imasuen, while presenting the motion on the floor of the senate on Wednesday during the plenary said, note with grave concern the urgent necessity for federal intervention in the wake of the brutal and coordinated assault on farming, communities in Edo South Senatorial District of Edo State, an attack that caused significant loss of lives, grievous injuries, widespread destruction of property, and the displacement of residents fleeing for safety;
Also notes that on February 21, 2025, assailants launched a violent and indiscriminate attack on the agrarian communities in Ovia South West and via North East Local Government Areas. The communities affected are Columbo Camp, Gbelamonten, Maridoti in Ovia North East, Siluko Ward in Ovia South West and other affected settlements leaving the inhabitants traumatized and dispossessed;
Aware that the reports attribute the attack to armed militants from nearby creeks, who have allegedly been persistently accused of encroaching upon farmlands, looting produce, and unlawfully extorting farmers through coercion and intimidation;
Alarmed that intelligence and eyewitness accounts suggest a deliberate pattern of aggression against these communities, and if unchecked, such lawlessness will continue to threaten food security, economic stability,and national cohesion;
Concerned; that while the Edo State Police Command has officially confirmed seven deaths and six casualties, local sources indicate a significantly higher number of fatalities, reflecting the urgency for comprehensive federal intervention;
Convinced that Pursuant to Section 14(2) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government, thereby mandating the federal government to act decisively in protecting the lives and properties of its citizens; and
Also convinced that pursuant to Section 217(2) (c) of the Constitution, the Armed Forces of the Federation are empowered to suppress insurrections and act in aid of civil authorities to restore order in situations of grave security threats,
However, the motion received overwhelmed support from the senators who spoke against the activities of criminal elements in Edo State and across the nation, thereby unanimously urged the Federal Government to: deploy additional Security Personnel, including military and Specialized Tactical Units, to restore and maintain law and order in the affected communities;
Formulate a long-term strategy to address recurring issues of land disputes, illicit extortion, and inter-communal conflicts through legislative, security, and policy interventions;
The Senate also urged relevant Humanitarian Agencies to render assistance comprising food supplies, medical care, and temporary shelter to cater for the displaced and affected persons.
Core Reporters report that the Senate in an additional prayer, urged the National Security Adviser (NSA) to deploy a special taskforce to Edo state to fish out all criminal elements operating within the three Senatorial districts of the state and its environs
