Senate asks police to arrest perpetrators of Benue attacks

The senate has expressed concern over the killings in Benue state, blaming the persistent violence on the alleged failure of security agencies to arrest and prosecute those behind previous attacks.

Lawmakers warned that the lack of accountability is breeding impunity and placing more communities at risk.

The position of the red chamber followed a motion raised during plenary on Thursday by Abba Moro, the majority leader and senator representing Benue south.

Moro, speaking under matters of national importance, drew attention to the latest wave of violence in his constituency, which he said had claimed over a dozen lives.

According to him, suspected herdsmen attacked the communities of Akpete and Ojantelle in Apa LGA on May 1 and May 7, 2025.

The assailants reportedly killed at least 13 residents, many of whom were going about their daily activities when the attacks occurred.

“This is one in a series of attacks and kidnappings carried out by the herdsmen in communities in Benue south senatorial district, leaving in their wake, loss of lives and wanton destruction of properties,” he said.

“More saddened that today no single person out of the perpetrators of these heinous attacks has been apprehended.”

The lawmaker noted that the killings were part of a growing pattern of attacks on rural communities in Benue south, where residents now live in constant fear of the next strike.

Following his motion, lawmakers urged the police and other security agencies to carry out a “thorough” investigation and ensure the arrest and prosecution of all those responsible for the recent violence.

The red chamber also called on the federal government to urgently deploy surveillance infrastructure in affected and vulnerable areas of the state to aid in early detection and prevention of future attacks.

Additionally, the senate asked security agencies to review and strengthen their operational strategies to enable quicker and more effective responses to emerging threats in the region.

As part of the resolutions reached, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) was directed to immediately provide relief materials to residents displaced by the violence in Akpete and Ojantelle.