Senate Condemns Killings in Apa, Agatu, Demands Urgent Action

After more attacks on communities in Benue State, the Nigerian Senate has asked for the creation of a Police Area Command and a military base in the Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas.

The resolution came after Abba Moro, the Senator from Benue South and Senate Minority Leader, made a motion on Wednesday about what he called the “urgent need for decisive action to address killings in Ankpali-Edikwu in Apa Local Government Area.”

Moro said that the attacks on rural communities in Apa/Agatu and other parts of Benue had become common, resulting in deaths, people being forced to leave their homes, and property damage.

He said that the violence was making it harder for farmers to do their jobs and that it was becoming a bigger threat to food security in the area that is often called Nigeria’s “Food Basket.”

After talking about it, the Senate decided to ask the Federal Government to quickly send more security forces, such as military and police units, to the areas that were affected to restore order and protect lives and property.

Lawmakers also told the Chief of Defence Staff, the Inspector-General of Police, and other security leaders to step up their coordinated efforts to catch the people who were behind the attacks.

The Senate also told its Committees on Defence, Army, Police Affairs, and National Security and Intelligence to look into the violence that keeps happening in Benue State and suggest long-term fixes.

It also told the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other groups that were involved to quickly help the communities that were affected.

Also, the upper chamber asked for bigger security changes, such as ways to deal with conflicts between farmers and herders, land use problems, and community-based peacebuilding systems.

The motion also asked the Benue State Government to do a better job of protecting lives and property, which is its constitutional duty. It also stressed the need for more security in areas that are at risk.

Godswill Akpabio, the Senate President, led the meeting and praised Senator Moro for bringing the issue to light. He also promised that the Senate would support efforts to fix the problem.

We held a minute of silence to remember the people who died in the recent attacks in Ankpali-Edikwu.