By Ignatius Okorocha
The Senate, yesterday, called on the Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies to, as a matter of national emergency, review their operational mechanism, with a view to being more proactive in their constitutional mandate to securing the nation.
The upper chamber made this resolution sequel to a motion on Fulani herdsmen killings in Benue State, sponsored by Senator Abba Moro (PDP, Benue South).
The motion, which was unanimously supported by all Senators was entitled: “Herdsmen attacks on Echori and Itakpa of Obi Local Government Area of Benue South Senatorial District of Benue State: urgent need for legislative intervention”.
In his submission, Senator Moro told the Senate that suspected herdsmen carried out twin deadly attacks on two communities of Echori and Itakpa in Obi Local Government Area of Benue South Senatorial District on May 10 and June 1, 2020.
He said that 13 persons were killed in the attacks by the assailants, noting that the recent attacks were among the series of violent attacks and kidnappings carried out by herdsmen in the Benue South.
The lawmaker expressed concerns that, since these heinous attacks were perpetrated by the herdsmen, the security agencies had not arrested any of them, let alone bringing them to justice.
After the presentation by the sponsor, the President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, who presided over the session, called on a member to second the motion and also make contribution on the killings.
Lawan, who would have been bored by frequent appearances of motions by members of the Senate on insecurity in the country, particularly killings and kidnappings, did not allow the motion to go through extensive debate by the lawmakers.
Considering other prayers in the motion, the Senate also urged the Police and other security agencies to carry out a comprehensive investigation into the attacks, with a view to arresting the perpetrators.
The Chamber further asked the federal government to mount comprehensive surveillance at the affected areas, to proactively detect and prevent future attacks.
It also requested the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to immediately mobilise relief materials to the displaced persons.
The legislators further observed a minute silence in honour of those killed during the attacks.
