Saminu Ibrahim
The Benue state National Assembly Caucus has said the unlawful dissolution of local government councils, alleged embezzlement of security votes is responsible for increasing insecurity situation in Benue state.
Rising from a meeting in Abuja on Wednesday, the caucus accused governor Alia Hycinth of diverting N3billion security votes from monthly allocation of the state.
The caucus bemoaned that if the alleged diversion of security votes is unchecked the insecurity in the state will continue to deteriorate.
Briefing newsmen shortly after the meeting, convener of the meeting and the caucus leader, Senator Abba Moro said the caucus finds the unhealthy insecurity in Benue state reprehensible and unacceptable.
The caucus “recalled that recently security breaches have been reported in several parts of Benue state particularly in the Benue south senatorial district and zone B, Makurdi and Guma, Okokolo, Ogwunogbo, Ipole, Ugboju, Abugbe as well as Ikobi and several other communities in Apa LGA, Abo Umogidi in Entekpa ward of Otukpo local government came under attack by suspected herdsmen”.
Continuing, he said “Ogwumogbo in Agatu LGA is literally occupied by herdsmen having sacked all residents of the community. A forest between Okokolo in Agatu and Agagbe in Gwer west LGA is Haven for kidnappers; this forest has become dangerous”.
The caucus therefore called on the federal government to rise up to the occasion to stop further killing of people.
“We equally call on the governor of Benue state government to live up to her responsibility by engaging security to confront the menace as not to do anything is not an option.
“We call on Nigeria Army to approve the setting up of forward operating bases in the affected areas without prejudice to the efforts made so far in fighting the menace of armed herdsmen attack”.
Additionally, the caucus further called on operation whirl stroke to take necessary steps to dislodge the bandits from the forest between Okokolo and Ayagbe in Agatu and Gwer west LGAs; to enable the natives return to their ancestral home in Ogwumogbo and other affected communities.
