The Senate on Wednesday called on the Nigeria Police Force, NPF, and other relevant agencies to investigate the alleged killings by herdsmen in two communities of Echori and Itakpa of Obi Local Government Area of Benue State.
Abba Moro, Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District, Comrade Abba Moro, on Wednesday called on the federal government to urgently intervene in the persistent herdsmen attacks in the state.
In a motion he moved on the floor of the Senate, Moro drew the attention of lawmakers and the Federal Government to the attacks on Benue South communities by suspected herdsmen.
The attacks, which happened in Echori and Itakpa communities in Obi Local Government Areas of Benue State had resulted in the death of 13 persons and the displacement of hundreds of others.
Presenting his case, the Senator lamented the unfortunate incidents and called for an immediate end to the unprovoked attacks on his people.
A statement by Moro’s Senior Adviser on New Media, Emmanuel Eche-Ofun John quoted the lawmaker as saying: “The Senate, notes with grave concern the recent twin attacks of suspected Fulani herdsmen on two communities of Echori and Itakpa of Obi Local Government Area of Benue South Senatorial District of Benue State, on the 10th of May, 2020 and 1st of June, 2020 respectively.
“Notes further with sadness thirteen persons; Innocent Joseph and Tony Ogbu Alapa, and 11 others; Christian Abe Igo, Sunday Atubu, Steven Okwute, Okwu Joshua, Ogo Imuila Ogbu, Friday Adekpe Ola, Mrs. Cecilia Onah, Onah Ogaga AKA Orisha, Linus Udor, Sunday Okarike and Enokela Ameh were mowed down by the Marauders.
“Saddened that this is one in a series of attacks and kidnappings carried out by the herdsmen in Communities in Benue South Senatorial District, leaving in their wakes, loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties.
“More saddened that as at today, no single person, out of the perpetrators of the heinous attacks, has been apprehended.”
Consequently, the Senate resolves to: “Urge the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies to carry out a comprehensive investigation of these dastardly attacks with a view to arresting the perpetrators;
“Urge the federal government to mount Comprehensive Surveillance at the affected areas to proactively detect and deter further future attacks;
“Urge the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies, as a matter of national emergency necessity, to review their operational mechanism with a view to being more proactive;
“Request the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilize relief materials to those many persons displaced by these recent attacks in Echori and Itakpa Communities;
“Request the Senate to observe a minute silence in honour of the deceased persons.”
