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Kingsley Joshua
Nigeria’s Senate on Wednesday called for the immediate deployment of additional security forces to communities in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State following a series of deadly attacks that claimed at least 20 lives and displaced scores of residents, intensifying concerns over worsening insecurity in the country’s Middle Belt region.
The upper chamber’s intervention came after lawmakers debated a motion sponsored by Senator Abba Patrick Moro, who represents Benue South Senatorial District and warned that the escalating violence threatens both public safety and agricultural livelihoods in the area.
Presenting the motion during plenary, Moro recounted a succession of attacks carried out by suspected armed bandits in Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo Ugboju communities over the past several days.
According to the senator, two residents were killed in Akpachi-Ugboju, while 16 others lost their lives in an attack on Otukpo-Nobi between Friday and Sunday of last week. He further disclosed that another coordinated assault on Ondo Ugboju on July 14 left two additional people dead, bringing the total number of confirmed fatalities to 20.
Beyond the loss of life, Moro told lawmakers that many victims sustained serious injuries and are receiving treatment in hospitals, while homes, businesses and farmlands were destroyed during the attacks. The violence, he said, has forced many residents to flee their communities in search of safety.
“The relentless and audacious nature of these attacks suggests a deliberate attempt to decimate these communities,” Moro told the Senate.
Invoking Section 14(2)(b) of Nigeria’s Constitution, which places the security and welfare of citizens as the primary responsibility of government, the lawmaker urged federal authorities to act swiftly before the situation deteriorates further.
He warned that continued attacks could lead to a broader breakdown of law and order and deepen food security concerns in a region heavily dependent on agriculture.
“If farmers are unable to access their farmlands because of fear and insecurity, the consequences will extend beyond these communities,” Moro said.
Following deliberations, senators observed a minute of silence in memory of the victims and unanimously condemned the killings and destruction of property.
The Senate subsequently called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and other security agencies to immediately deploy personnel to the affected communities and surrounding areas to restore order and prevent further violence.
Lawmakers also directed security agencies to launch a comprehensive investigation into the attacks, identify those responsible and ensure their prosecution.
In addition to security measures, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to provide urgent assistance to affected residents.
The chamber specifically requested the immediate delivery of food supplies, medical support and temporary shelter for displaced persons and those injured during the attacks.
To ensure implementation of its resolutions, the Senate mandated its Committees on Police Affairs, Defence, and National Security and Intelligence to engage directly with security chiefs and assess ongoing operations in Benue South.
The latest violence has heightened anxiety across Otukpo, a predominantly farming district that has witnessed recurring security challenges in recent years. Community leaders and residents have repeatedly warned that persistent attacks are disrupting agricultural activities and threatening livelihoods in one of Benue’s key food-producing areas.
The Senate’s intervention reflects growing pressure on federal authorities to address rising insecurity in parts of the country where armed groups continue to target rural communities despite ongoing military and law enforcement operations.
As residents mourn the latest victims, attention is now focused on whether the promised security response will be sufficient to halt the cycle of violence and restore confidence among affected communities.
