Benue killings: Reps ask COAS, IGP to deploy troops The House of Representatives yesterday asked the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar and Chief of Army staff, Maj. Gen. Kenneth Minimah to deploy troops in Benue State to curb the recurring killings by Fulani herdsmen. The lawmakers stated that development in the state had reached a stage where the military and the police should join forces to stop the activities of herdsmen in the state. The House’s resolution followed motion by a member representing Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency of Benue, Hon. Benjamin Aboho. Describing the killings as disturbing, the chamber called on the National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (retd) to investigate the continuous armed attacks by the nomadic herdsmen particularly in Benue and Plateau states. Giving reason for his motion, Aboho, claimed that the violent activities of the nomadic herdsmen have in recent times covered many parts of Benue state, as well as neighbouring states of Nasarawa and Plateau thereby compounding the nation’s security challenge. He said since April 2013, some villages in the Moon council ward of Kwande local government area of Benue state has been under consistent attacks by herdsmen leading to loss of lives and property worth millions of naira. The lawmaker noted that since April 14, 2014, the herdsmen have virtually occupied the land and succeeded in sending families of the natives away from their lands. He expressed concern that the continuous occupation of the land would force a reprisal attack from the citizens. Aboho said: “Mr. speaker, I am worried like any other Nigerian that the continuous occupation of the land will make citizens attempt to fight back, and this may worsen the security situation in the country.” The lawmaker observed that, “the armed herdsmen easily invade Moon ward because the only police post located at Anyiase is manned by four unarmed men, despite the fact that Moon has international border with Cameroun, there has been no efforts to cover the area with security agencies.” The motion was unanimously taken and the House equally mandated the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to establish a refugee camp and provide relief materials to the victims in the affected areas.
Posted on: Fri, 21 Mar 2014 09:32:06 +0000
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