Senator warns of escalating attacks in Benue communities, says residents are being abandoned as violence worsens
By Rejoice Peterside
Senator Abba Moro on Tuesday issued a strong and direct wake-up call to Governor Hyacinth Alia over the worsening insecurity in Benue State, warning that repeated killings in rural communities, particularly in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas, show an urgent crisis that requires immediate and decisive intervention.
Rising under a motion of urgent public importance, Senator Moro described the situation as deeply alarming, noting that communities in Benue South have continued to suffer repeated attacks, displacement, and loss of lives without what he called a commensurate and effective response from relevant authorities.
He said the recurring violence has pushed many rural residents into fear and uncertainty, adding that farming activities, the main source of livelihood in the affected areas, have been severely disrupted, worsening food insecurity and economic hardship.
Senator Moro stressed that the scale and frequency of the attacks now require more than routine assurances, insisting that both the state government and security agencies must urgently wake up to the reality on the ground and take immediate action to protect vulnerable communities.
He warned that continued inaction or delayed response would only embolden attackers and deepen the humanitarian crisis already unfolding in the affected areas.
The senator expressed concern that residents in several communities have been left exposed, with many unable to return to their farms or live peacefully due to constant fear of renewed attacks.
He described the situation as unacceptable and called for a coordinated security response involving federal and state authorities to restore confidence among affected populations.
Following his motion, Senator Moro called for the immediate strengthening of security presence in Benue South, including the deployment of additional personnel and the establishment of operational bases in vulnerable communities.
He also urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and other relevant agencies to urgently provide relief materials, medical support, and humanitarian assistance to victims and displaced families.
The senator further demanded a comprehensive review of the security architecture in the affected areas, stressing the need for sustained intelligence gathering, rapid response mechanisms, and stronger coordination among security agencies operating in the state.
He noted that without urgent intervention, the situation risks further deterioration, with wider implications for regional stability and national food production.
Senator Moro’s intervention has sparked renewed attention on the security challenges in Benue State, with growing concern over the frequency of attacks and the perceived slow response to repeated warnings from stakeholders.
He maintained that protecting lives and restoring peace in affected communities must be treated as an urgent national priority, not a recurring debate.
The motion is expected to prompt further legislative engagement as lawmakers push for stronger measures to end the cycle of violence and restore normalcy to affected areas in Benue State.
