Benue Assembly condemns abduction, murder of Katsina-Ala traditional ruler

The Benue State House of Assembly on Monday condemned the abduction and killing of the Kindred Head of Mbajiir in Tongov, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Chief Sughter Agamber, and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Mr. Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala), who informed the lawmakers about the murder of the traditional leader by suspected gunmen.

Ipusu recalled that the 10th Assembly had, within the last two and a half years, repeatedly debated motions concerning the rising wave of insecurity across Benue State, particularly within the Sankera axis which includes Katsina-Ala.

He explained that the traditional ruler was abducted on Friday by unidentified gunmen at Kam Village in Tongov, Katsina-Ala LGA.

According to him, local authorities including the Tor Sankera, the Ter Katsina-Ala, and the chairmen of Katsina-Ala and Ukum Local Government Area councils made frantic efforts to secure the victim’s release after they were alerted about the incident.

Ipusu, however, disclosed that the lifeless body of the monarch was later found in a bush on Saturday morning, suggesting that the abductors had killed him.

He lamented that the killing of a kindred head indicated a worsening security situation in the area, noting that criminal elements had shifted their focus from ordinary residents to traditional rulers.

The lawmaker further told the House that residents of Kam community had begun fleeing their homes over fears of further attacks, leaving the settlement largely deserted.

He warned that if urgent steps were not taken, the continued killings could turn communities in the area into graveyards.

Seconding the motion, Mr. Michael Audu (APC/Adoka-Ugboju) called on security agencies to intensify their operations to tackle insecurity in the affected communities.

Also contributing, Mr. Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) urged security operatives to strengthen efforts aimed at rescuing other victims of kidnapping in the region.

He also recommended that Operation Zenda establish an additional checkpoint along the Ugbema–Ikov–Jato Aka axis.

In his contribution, Dr. Abraham Jabi (APC/Buruku) urged the Benue State Government to revive vigilante groups through traditional rulers to support security agencies in tackling criminal activities.

Ruling on the matter, the Speaker of the House, Alfred Emberga, directed the House Committee on Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to interface with Operation Zenda and the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security and report back to the House on March 17 during an executive session.

He also called on the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to work together to track down, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the crime.

The Speaker further urged Operation Zenda to establish a checkpoint and conduct regular patrols around Kam community, located along the boundary between Ukum, Logo Local Government Area and Tongov in Katsina-Ala LGA.