By Amos Aar
THE BENUE State House of Assembly has summoned key security officials and advisers to Governor Hyacinth Alia over the persistent killings in the state.
Those invited include the Special Adviser on External Security, Col. Alexander Ashungyu (Rtd); Special Adviser on Internal Security, Joe Har; Director General of Benue Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbamwuan (Rtd); and the Commandant of the Benue Civil Protection Guards, Captain Ajobi Ayuma (Rtd).
They are to appear before the Assembly’s leadership on Friday, March 14, 2025, at 10am to provide a briefing on the worsening security situation.
Additionally, the Special Adviser on the Bureau for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs (BLCA), Mr. Denen Aondoakaa, has been summoned on the same day to clarify issues concerning security funding at the local government level.
The Assembly, during Thursday’s plenary, presided over by the Speaker, Hon. Hyacinth Dajoh, strongly condemned the attacks on innocent citizens by armed herdsmen, as well as the violent protests in Naka, headquarters of Gwer West LGA, that led to the destruction of properties.
Lawmakers criticised the protesters for targeting public infrastructure instead of directing their efforts toward repelling the assailants.
These resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Bemdoo Ipusu, representing Katsina-Ala West state constituency.
Hon. Ipusu informed the House about renewed herdsmen attacks in Imande-Gbehuwar (Mbagena Kpaav), Dikpo, Mbasende (Tiir and Michie council wards) in Katsina-Ala LGA, as well as multiple communities in Gwer West LGA, where lives were lost and properties destroyed.
Ipusu also lamented that in response to the herdsmen attacks, enraged residents of Naka set fire to the local government headquarters, the residence of Ter Tyoshin (Chief Daniel Abomtse), and properties belonging to prominent individuals in the area. He urged the assembly to ensure that the security heads appear without fail.
Hon. Michael Audu, the Minority Leader, seconded the motion, warning that if the herdsmen crisis remains unchecked, it could lead to a total breakdown of law and order, severe food insecurity, and mass displacement of communities.
This marks the second time the Benue State Assembly has summoned Governor Alia’s security advisers over worsening insecurity in the state.
The first summon was issued in February 2024, when they were questioned about the influx of armed herders and cattle into the state.
Despite the Assembly’s directives for security agencies to take action, the herders remained in Benue, and the killings have only escalated.
Meanwhile, the House also received the Auditor General’s Reports on the Accounts of the 23 Local Governments of Benue State for the years ending December 31, 2021, and December 31, 2022.
The reports were presented by Hon. Anthony Agom, Chairman of the House Standing Committee on Public Accounts, and were subsequently referred to the Rules and Business Committee for further deliberation.
