Benue senator decries continued herdsmen attack on LGA

The Senator representing Benue North-West senatorial zone, Dr Titus Zam, on Tuesday, decried the continued attack and killings of his kinsmen in Gwer-West local government by Fulani herdsmen.

Checks by Tribune Online indicate that over 500 indigenes of the Gwer-West local government have been killed by Fulani herdsmen between 2011 to date.

Senator Zam, while reacting to last week’s attack that claimed many lives along Makurdi Naka Road, called on President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia to wade into the situation.

In a phone chat with Tribune Online, the senator expressed dismay over what he described as deliberate and unprovoked attacks and killings on the people of Gwer West, despite his rigorous efforts, and that of the House of Representative member for Gwer/Gwer-West, Asema Achado, in presenting numerous motions on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives, urging both federal and state governments to provide help.

“Despite my rigorous efforts and that of Achado, the House of Representatives member for Gwer/Gwer-West, in presenting numerous motions on the floor of the Senate and House of Representatives, urging both federal and state governments to provide help to our constituents, the persistent killings remain unaddressed.

“While I condemn the deliberate and unprovoked killings and attacks on my community (Gwer West Local Government), the attack and killings on the Makurdi-Naka road by suspected Fulani herdsmen who have continued to wreak havoc on several communities in the area, I must submit here that the open grazing prohibition and ranching establishment bill I presented before the Senate is the solution to end the killings.

“While I condole with my community, the Gwer West local government, I wish to appeal to President Bola Tinubu and Governor Hyacinth Alia to wade into the challenging insecurity across Benue.

“I urge relevant security agencies to double their efforts to address the situation that has killed numerous lives, including children, women, and the elderly.

“On our part as National Assembly members, we have adequately mobilised the legislative arm to liaise with the Federal Government, which has since commenced the commitment of necessary resources to the state to enable it to combat the security challenges, “Chief Zam stated.

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