THE BENUE State House of Assembly has condemned the abduction and subsequent murder of the traditional ruler of Mbajiir in Tongov, Katsina LGA of Benue State, Chief Sughter Agamber, last Friday.
The lawmakers also urged security operatives to intensify efforts to ensure that the perpetrators of the barbaric act face the full weight of the law.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Mr. Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala), who informed the lawmakers about the killing of the traditional ruler by unknown 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.
He noted that local authorities, including the Tor Sankera, the Ter Katsina-Ala, and the chairmen of Katsina-Ala and Ukum LGAs, made frantic efforts to secure the victim’s release.
Ipusu, however, disclosed that the lifeless body of the monarch was later discovered 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 for fear 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 the 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.
