Raphael Ekpang
The Benue state National Assembly Caucus has recently called on the federal and Benue State government as well as the security agencies to rise up to the occasion and stop the unabated killings going on in the country and Benue State in particular.
The leader of the caucus, Senator Abba Morro, the Senate minority leader while briefing newsmen shortly after their meeting recalled that recently security breaches have been reported in several parts of Benue state particularly in the Benue south senatorial district and zone B, Makurdi and Guma, Okokolo, Ogwunogbo, Ipole, Ugboju, Abugbe as well as Ikobi and several other communities in Apa LGA, Abo Umogidi in Entekpa ward of Otukpo local government came under attack by suspected herdsmen.
He noted that Ogwumogbo in Agatu LGA is literally occupied by herdsmen having sacked all residents of the community. “A forest between Okokolo in Agatu and Agagbe in Gwer west LGA is Haven for kidnappers; this forest has become dangerous”.
The caucus therefore called on the federal government to rise up to the occasion to stop further killing of people.
“We equally call on the governor of Benue state government to live up to her responsibility by engaging security to confront the menace as not to do anything is not an option.
“We call on Nigeria Army to approve the setting up of forward operating bases in the affected areas without prejudice to the efforts made so far in fighting the menace of armed herdsmen attack”.
Meanwhile, the caucus further called on operation whirl stroke to take necessary steps to dislodge the bandits from the forest between Okokolo and Ayagbe in Agatu and Gwer west LGAs; to enable the natives return to their ancestral home in Ogwumogbo and other affected communities.
However, the caucus leader said, “For us it has become too dangerous, between December 2023 and February 12, 2024, over 500 persons have been mowed down in the attacks and properties running into millions of Naira destroyed by these attackers.
“On February 12, 2024, youths from all the affected communities blocked the Oweto road to register their dissatisfaction with the gradual condescending security situation. The implication is that the people are gradually gravitating towards self defence, and we fined this situation reprehensible and unacceptable,”Sen. Morro said
Other legislators who attended the caucus meeting also complimented Sen. Morro’s briefing and called on the government in all levels to rise up and curb insecurity in the state.
