Following the brutal massacre in Yelewata, a community in Benue State, the Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to immediately deploy more troops to the region to curb the rising wave of violence. The motion came in response to a deadly attack reportedly carried out by armed herdsmen, which left several civilians dead and triggered unrest among residents.
The attack, which occurred in Gwer-West Local Government Area, resulted in the deaths of at least four villagers. Senator Titus Zam, representing Benue North-West, brought the matter before the Senate, lamenting the recurring nature of such killings across the state. According to him, the recent attack not only claimed innocent lives but also sparked a protest by irate youths who, in their frustration, set fire to several buildings, including the palace of a traditional ruler.
Senator Zam warned that the unchecked activities of the assailants were rapidly eroding trust in government and security institutions. He stated that residents are now left with no choice but to take up self-defense in the absence of reliable protection. His position was strongly supported by the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who accused the federal authorities of abandoning rural communities to their fate.
The Senate unanimously condemned the massacre and the growing insecurity in Benue. Lawmakers emphasized that the crisis had evolved beyond farmer-herder clashes and now represents a grave threat to national stability. They called on the service chiefs, including the Chief of Defence Staff, Inspector General of Police, and Director-General of the Department of State Services, to take immediate action by deploying more personnel to vulnerable areas.
The legislators also advocated for the creation of a permanent or mobile military base in Gwer-West to serve as a rapid response unit to potential threats in the region. They expressed deep concern about the failure to implement Benue State’s anti-open grazing law, arguing that its enforcement and the establishment of ranches would significantly reduce violent confrontations.
Beyond security measures, the Senate appealed to the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and the National Emergency Management Agency to swiftly deliver relief materials to the affected communities. The lawmakers stressed that the survivors, many of whom have been displaced, are in dire need of food, shelter, and medical assistance.
Local residents and civil society groups have cautiously welcomed the Senate’s resolutions but remain skeptical about their implementation. Many have argued that such calls have been made in the past with little action taken. The Northern Nigerian Youth Leaders Forum urged the federal government to act without delay, warning that continued silence or inaction would only embolden the perpetrators.
Benue State has been one of the hardest-hit regions in Nigeria’s long-standing struggle with violent herder incursions. Communities like Yelewata have become flashpoints, with repeated attacks leaving trails of bloodshed, fear, and displacement. As pressure mounts on the federal authorities, the latest demand from the Senate adds a louder voice to the growing chorus of Nigerians seeking urgent and effective solutions.
NewsGlobal Reporters