By Aaron Ossai
Worried by the incessant killings and destruction of properties in some communities in Benue State, the House of Representatives yesterday called on the Federal Government to urgently deploy security personnel to communities in Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency of the State to address the attacks against the people by gunmen.
This followed the adoption of a motion on the killings moved by Hon. Ojema Ojotu during plenary presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Tajudeen Abbas.
It would be recalled that there have been renewed attacks on the people of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency in recent times, particularly clashes between herders and farmers.
Leading debate on the general principles of the motion, Hon. Ojotu noted that as Nigerians celebrated Independence Day on October 1, 2024, “Residents of Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency experienced Armageddon as invaders killed the IDP camp’s remnants, who were initially displaced but returned to sew crops ahead of the dry season.
“There was another attack on the federal constituency, particularly on Egwuma, Olagbani, Okwutanobe, and Ogwule Ankpa and communities in Agatu Local Government Area in which lives and properties worth millions of naira were destroyed.
“Despite continual requests for government intervention to end the consistent unprovoked attacks, the killings continue unabated and the survivors of the attacks are displaced, wandering around homeless”, he said.
He further “urged the Nigeria Army, Police Force, Air Force, and other relevant security agencies to urgently move into the Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency, particularly the communities that have been made desolate, to mount surveillance to prevent further attacks and carry out clearance operations in the affected communities.”
The House also called on the military to immediately establish a large military base in the areas of attack to restore peace and prevent further attacks, while also urging the National Emergency Management Agency to quickly establish befitting IDP camps in Apa/Agatu Federal Constituency.
Following the adoption of the motion, members present at Wednesday’s plenary observed a minute silence in honour of those who lost their lives in the recent attacks.