The Senate has called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State to strengthen security and provide a faster response to attacks by armed assailants often disguised as herders.
This resolution came after Senator Titus Tartenger-Zam raised concerns over the escalating violence in the region during Wednesday’s plenary session. He criticized the slow response of state authorities, accusing them of downplaying the attacks as mere “skirmishes,” while local communities continue to suffer.
The Senate’s call follows a fresh wave of violence between Sunday and Monday night, in which at least four people were killed in another brutal invasion by armed attackers. Senator Tartenger-Zam warned that these persistent attacks could have dire economic consequences, especially for agriculture, which is the primary livelihood of Gwer-West residents.
Supporting the motion, Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro also condemned the Benue State Government’s inaction, stating that the lack of security intervention has left residents with no choice but to take matters into their own hands. He warned that if the state government fails to act, the situation could spiral into self-defense groups and retaliation, further worsening insecurity.
As part of its resolutions, the Senate also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to provide urgent relief materials to affected communities. Lawmakers further called on the Benue State Government to enforce its anti-open grazing law to prevent future conflicts.
Additionally, the Senate has mandated its Committees on National Security, Intelligence, Livestock, Army, Police, Navy, Air Force, and Defence to conduct an on-the-spot security assessment in Gwer-West and express sympathy to victims of recent attacks.
Meanwhile, a security briefing with Nigeria’s service chiefs has been scheduled to hold in two weeks, as the government continues to seek solutions to the Benue security crisis.
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