The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to establish a border post at the Nigerian- Cameroun International border in Benue State to check the influx of criminal elements into the country.
This follows a motion titled “Recent Invasion, Massacre and Forced Displacement Of People From Communities And Villlages In Turan District Of Kwande Local Government Of Benue State’ by senator Gabriel Suswam (PDP Benue North).
Coming under orders 41 and 51 of the senate standing rules, the lawmaker lamented that
suspected armed herdsmen invaded several villages across the five Council Wards in Turan District of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, and carried out coordinated attacks on unarmed peasant farmers.
He added that the attacked communities located on Nigeria’s international border with Cameroun, led to the death of over 100 persons while several others suffered gunshot injuries.
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According to him the attack lasted for over 78 hours without any form of resistance from the villagers and intervention by the Nigerian Army, in repelling the attackers except a last minute aerial bombing carried out by the Nigerian Air force that forced the attackers to retreat.
He further stated that over 10,000 people including women and children have been displaced from their homes and are now in IDP camps in dire need of humanitarian assistance.
After deliberation the senate resolved to direct the Nigeria Police and Nigerian Armed Forces to beef up personnel and equipment deployment to Jato -Aka in order to ensure effective surveillance, security response and protection on Yaav, Moon, Kumakwagh, Mbadura and Mbaikyor Council Wards in Turan District.
The Federal Government was also urged to direct the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, through the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to immediately send relief materials to the victims of the recent herdsmen attacks on some Council Wards in Turan District of Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
