By Amos Aar
IN RESPONSE to the worsening insecurity and renewed attacks on rural communities in Benue State, Hon. Asema Achado, Member representing Gwer/Gwer West Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to immediately deploy the state’s security vote to safeguard lives and property.
In a statement issued by his media aide, Mendah Manasseh, Hon. Achado condemned the persistent killings and violent incursions by armed herdsmen, describing the situation as a humanitarian crisis.
He expressed deep concern over the unprovoked attacks, which have disproportionately affected women, children, and the elderly, citing recent incidents in Tse-Orbiam, Ahume, and Aondona, as well as the shooting of Rev. Fr. Solomon Atongu along the Makurdi-Naka Road.
The lawmaker criticized the perceived inaction of both federal and state authorities, stating that their silence constitutes a failure to uphold their constitutional mandate.
“Section 14(2)(b) of the Constitution explicitly states that the security and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government,” Achado emphasized. “There is no justification for the current level of inaction, which has allowed what appears to be a systematic decimation of rural communities in Benue.”
He urged the immediate mobilization of community youth vigilantes and mobile police units to secure vulnerable areas and questioned the state government’s decision to proceed with anniversary celebrations amid the ongoing security crisis.
Achado also raised concerns over the apparent inability of local government councils to implement security measures, alleging that funds designated for grassroots security initiatives are frequently withheld by the state government.
Referencing resolutions issued by the Tiv and Idoma Traditional Councils on May 22 and 23, 2025, Achado reiterated the directive for armed herders to vacate Benue State by the end of May.
The traditional councils had warned that continued displacement of farming communities could exacerbate the nation’s food insecurity.
He further highlighted the 2017 Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law as a legal framework empowering the state to take decisive action against illegal grazing.
Failure to enforce the traditional leaders’ resolutions, he cautioned, could undermine public confidence in customary institutions.
To reinforce the legal standing of the anti-open grazing law, Achado cited several judicial rulings, including Attorney General of Benue State & Anor v. Attorney General of the Federation & 2 Ors (FHC/MKD/CS/56/2019), which upheld the law’s validity; AG Lagos State v. AG Federation (2003) 12 NWLR (Pt. 833) 24, affirming state authority over land use, and AG Benue State & Ors v. IGP & Ors (MHC/395/2018), which validated the state’s Livestock Guards.
“These legal precedents should strengthen the resolve of the Benue State Government to act with urgency,” Achado stated. “A law that is not enforced serves no purpose. This is the moment for decisive leadership and rigorous enforcement to halt the bloodshed and avert a potential famine.”
