Senate Directs Police, Other Security Agencies To Investigate Herdsmen Killings In Benue

BY VICTOR BUORO, ABUJA – The Senate on Thursday urged the Nigeria Police and other relevant security agencies in the country to carry out a comprehensive investigation into attacks by herdsmen on Echori and Itakpa communities in Benue state, with a view to arresting the perpetrators.

This was part of the resolutions reached by the Upper Chamber of the National Assembly sequel to the consideration of a motion to that effect on the need for legislative intervention, sponsored by Senator Abba Moro (PDP–Benue South).

While moving the motion, Moro noted with concern “the recent twin attacks by suspected Fulani herdsmen on two communities of Echori and Itakpa of Obi Local Government Area of Benue South Senatorial District of Benue State on May 10, 2020 and June 1, 2020 respectively.”

The lawmaker said that a total of 11 persons were killed during the attacks on both communities.

He gave the names of the 11 persons killed to include: Innocent Joseph; Tony Ogbu Alapa; Christian Abe Igo; Sunday Atubu; Stephen Okwute; Okwu Joseph; Ogo Imuila Ogbu; and Friday Adekpe Ola.

Others are: Cecilia Onah; Onah Ogaga; AKA Orisha; Linus Udor; Sunday Okarike; and Enokela Ameh.

Moro expressed sadness saying; “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.”

In its resolutions, the Senate after observing a minute silence in honour of the deceased, urged the Federal Government to mount surveillance at the affected areas to proactively detect and deter future attacks.

It also urged the Nigeria Police and security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, review their operational mechanism with a view to being more proactive.

The Senate also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately mobilize relief materials to those displaced by the recent attacks in Echori and Itakpa communities.