Agatu attacks: Senate asks FG to curtail insecurity, killings

By Yemi Itodo

The Nigerian Senate, on Tuesday, urged the federal government to take proactive measures to curtail insecurity and malicious killings ravaging Agatu in Benue state and all other states of the federation.

This was consequent upon a motion sponsored, by Senator Patrick Abba Moro (Benue South) with the support of Senators Gabriel Suswam (Benue North East); Emmanuel Orker-Jev (Benue North West); Ademola Balogun (Oyo South) and Lilian Ekwunife (Anambra Central).

In leading the debate, Senator Moro lamented the incessant attacks on the agrarian people of Agatu local government of Benue state by Fulani herdsmen and other militias, with the recent attack in Okokolo on 30th June, 2019.

“Worried with deep concern that, on the 30th of June, 2019 there was an attack on my constituents in a Church in Okokolo town in Agatu local government area, which led to death of over 25 persons/worshipers and this has created fears, anxieties and agonies among the settlers, leading them to desert their homes.

“These dastardly acts are being perpetrated against innocent persons of the Benue South senatorial district despite several peace agreements/accords entered into by the parties.

“The protracted crises within these Agrarian settlements presently will result in food shortage across the nation, since farmers are finding it increasingly unsafe to go to their farms for the fears of being attacked”, Moro said.

He acknowledged the “danger inherent in the continuous deterioration of the security situations across the nation which have already led to massive refugee crisis”, adding that, “it has become absolutely necessary for us in the Senate to act immediately to forestall further loss of lives and property”.

With total support of the motion from the majority of Senators present, the Senate strongly condemned the attacks in Agatu communities, while observing a minute silence for those killed in the Okokolo attack recently.

The Senate also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to immediately intervene to provide relief materials to the people of Okokolo in Agatu local government area.

While urging relevant security agencies to be proactive to forestall future occurrences, the Senate also called on the relevant security agencies to intensify mop up of small arms and light weapons in circulation across the federation.

While making his remarks, President of the Senate, Ahmad Lawan, thanked Senator Moro for bringing up such an all-important motion, calling on the executive to act on the resolution immediately.

“The Parliament needs to follow up on motions. The parliament needs to work with the executive to ensure compliance.

“The security architecture of this country today, shows that there is need for a change, in the way they relate and operate”, Lawan added.

He assured the Senate that the parliament would closely work with the executive for prompt implementation of resolutions, saying when the committees are formed in the Senate, everything would be in place.