Senate has called for the immediate reinforcement of security in communities affected by suspected bandit attacks in Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State.
The resolution followed a motion moved by the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who expressed concern over recent attacks on Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo Ugboju communities.
Leading the debate, Senator Moro said the attacks, which occurred between last Friday and Tuesday, claimed the lives of 20 people.
According to him, two persons were killed in Akpachi-Ugboju, 16 in Otukpo-Nobi and another two in the latest attack on Ondo Ugboju.
He added that many residents sustained varying degrees of injuries, while homes, farmlands and other valuable property were destroyed.
The lawmaker noted that the attacks had forced many residents to flee their communities, thereby worsening the humanitarian situation in the affected areas.
Senator Moro warned that the recurring attacks have heightened fear among residents, triggered mass displacement and posed serious threats to food production as farmers are unable to access their farmlands.
He cautioned that unless urgent security measures are implemented, the crisis could degenerate into a breakdown of law and order in the affected communities.
Consequently, the Senate urged the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and other relevant security agencies to deploy additional security personnel to the affected communities.
The upper chamber also called for a thorough investigation into the attacks and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Cov/Bashir M
