- Urges Alia To Declare 3-Day Mourning
- Lifts Suspension On Six Lawmakers, Hails Protesters
By Amos Aar
IN A BOLD response to the escalating bloodshed in Benue State, the House of Assembly has called on residents to take lawful measures to protect themselves, citing security agencies’ failure to curb the violence effectively.
The lawmakers also pressed Governor Hyacinth Alia to enforce the state’s anti-open grazing law and declare a three-day mourning period for victims of the recent Yelwata massacre.
The resolution followed an urgent motion by Terwase Uche, representing Guma 1 State Constituency, who detailed the brutal attacks by armed herders in Yelwata, leaving destruction in their wake.
The motion received unanimous support, with mourning set for June 18–20, 2025.
Assembly Lifts Suspension On Six Lawmakers
Meanwhile, the Assembly has lifted the suspension of six out of thirteen lawmakers previously sanctioned.
During its plenary on Tuesday presided over by Speaker Rt. Hon. Hyacinth Aondona Dajoh, the Assembly announced the reinstatement of six members who had earlier been suspended.
They include Hon. Solomon Gyila, Rt. Hon. Williams Ortyom, Hon. Blessed Onah, Hon. Simon Gabo, Hon. Anyor Mato, and Hon. Elias Audu.
According to the Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker, Mr. Terver Zamber, the suspension was lifted following the submission of apology letters by the affected lawmakers, addressed to the Speaker and the entire House.
Protesters hailed as ‘heroes of democracy’
In another resolution during plenary, the House commended the youth of Benue who staged a peaceful protest in Makurdi to decry the recent killings of residents by suspected armed herdsmen.
The lawmakers described the protesters as “heroes of democracy” and applauded their courage and patriotism.
Speaker Dajoh praised the demonstrators for expressing the pain of the people through peaceful means. He specifically commended protest leaders such as Mr. Ukeyima John, Baba Yev, Omo Benue, and Edna Jones, stating that the House would soon honour them for their bravery in speaking for the voiceless.
“The youths acted within their constitutional rights and displayed the true spirit of democracy by demanding action in a peaceful and organized manner,” the Speaker stated.
In a move to ease tensions, Speaker Dajoh ordered the release of protesters detained during the anti-insecurity demonstrations, affirming their constitutional right to peaceful assembly.
He urged security forces to exercise restraint and professionalism in handling future protests. The Assembly vowed to probe the arrests and push for stricter enforcement of grazing laws, hoping to stem the relentless violence plaguing the state.
Demand for stricter grazing law
In a related development, the House also called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to fully implement the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law of 2017 to curb the escalating violence by suspected herders.
The lawmakers, while describing as genocide and ethnic cleansing the Yelwata massacre, they expressed outrage over what they described as the failure of security agencies to protect lives and property in the state. They urged the people of Benue to remain vigilant and defend themselves within the limits of the law while calling on the state government to enforce existing laws.
Meanwhile, civil society groups and religious leaders have joined the outcry.
Lazarus Mom, speaking for Benue NGOs and CSOs, revealed a grim toll — over 712 lives lost and 180,000 displaced since January 2025. Pastor Bolaji Idowu of Harvesters International Christian Centre condemned the government’s inaction, demanding justice for the victims.
