Ajama’s beheading: Abba Moro accuses Alia govt of abandoning Benue South to killers

The Senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, has accused the Benue State Government of abandoning communities in the district to armed attackers following the gruesome killing of a health worker, Ajama Emie, in Apa Local Government Area.

Speaking on the floor of the Senate on Wednesday under Order 42 on a matter of personal explanation, Moro condemned the killing of Ajama, who was reportedly ambushed, murdered and beheaded by armed bandits along the Ikobi-Olegogba axis of the Ugbokpo-Ikobi Road on Monday, June 8, 2026, IDOMA VOICE reports.

According to the senator, the attackers fled with the victim’s severed head, describing the incident as another tragic reminder of the worsening insecurity across Benue South.

Moro told lawmakers that the area where the attack occurred had become a flashpoint for violent attacks and a safe haven for armed herders.

He lamented that several communities across Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Ohimini and Ogbadibo local government areas were under relentless attacks, alleging that the state government had failed to adequately support local security structures despite receiving substantial security allocations.

“Like Ikobi like Ojantele-Akwete, like Ankpali Edikwu etc, in Apa Local Government Area; Like Okokolo, like Aila, like Ogbaulu, like Odugbeho, etc, in Agatu Local Government Area; Like Ugbamaju, like Emichi Otobi Akpa, etc, in Otukpo Local Government Area; Like communities in Ohimini and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas, Benue South Senatorial District is literally under siege,” Moro said.

The lawmaker specifically accused the state government of underfunding security outfits such as Operation Zenda, the Volunteer Guards, Homeland Security and other community-based security groups that could help tackle the growing threat.

According to him, only federal security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Police Force and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, have consistently responded to distress calls from affected communities, IDOMA VOICE reports.

“Unfortunately, in all this, the Benue State Government appears indifferent to the plight of my people. In spite of the humungous security votes of the governor of Benue State it is only the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Police, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps that respond to the cry of the people. The Operation Zenda, the Volunteer Guards, the Homeland Security, and all the local security outfits are not sufficiently funded by the state government to pro-actively confront this security menace in the state.”

Moro also raised concerns over the continued detention of Oloche Silas, a youth leader from Agatu Local Government Area who allegedly coordinated community resistance against armed attackers.

He said Silas had remained in custody for over a year over allegations of illegal possession of firearms, leaving local communities vulnerable and without coordinated leadership in the face of recurring attacks.

The senator further alleged that soldiers recently assaulted and disarmed youth volunteers who had gathered in Ologo and Asaba villages to discuss security measures following the killing of three farmers in Ikobi.

Questioning how rural communities could defend themselves against heavily armed attackers, Moro called on the Senate leadership and relevant authorities to facilitate the release of Oloche Silas and other youths facing similar circumstances.

He argued that such individuals could complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in protecting lives and property in the affected areas.

Responding, Senate President Godswill Akpabio sympathised with the people of Benue South, particularly residents of Apa and Agatu local government areas, over the recent killings.

Akpabio condemned the murder of Ajama Emie and assured lawmakers that necessary measures would be taken to improve security and protect citizens across the country.

The Senate President subsequently referred the matter to the appropriate security committee for further legislative action.