Benue Killings: Senate Demands Urgent Security Action, Asks FG To Deploy Additional Troops
Benue State (a state in the North-Central region) The Senate has asked the nation’s security leadership, including the Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), General Olufemi Oluyede, and the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, to intensify coordinated operations to apprehend those responsible for a fresh wave of killings in Benue State. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1672569656851-0"); }); The upper chamber also urged the Federal Government to immediately deploy additional military and paramilitary personnel to the Apa Local Government Area and other affected parts of the state to restore law and order. The resolutions followed a motion sponsored by Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro, who raised alarm over what he described as the gruesome killings of several residents in Ankpali-Edikwu, Apa Local Government Area, on April 12, 2026. The attacks were allegedly carried out by suspected armed herdsmen. Lawmakers noted that the incident reflects a disturbing pattern of recurring violence across rural communities in Benue State, resulting in loss of lives, displacement of residents, and destruction of property. The Senate expressed concern that the persistent insecurity, particularly in Apa and other parts of the state, has created widespread fear, disrupted farming activities, and poses a serious threat to food security in the region. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1672569913499-0"); }); Citing the increasing frequency and brutality of the attacks, senators questioned the adequacy of existing security measures and whether the primary responsibility of the government is the protection of lives and property. To address the crisis, the Senate mandated its committees on defence, army, police affairs, and national security and intelligence to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the recurring attacks in Benue South and across the state, with a view to recommending sustainable solutions. In addition, lawmakers urged the Federal Government to develop a long-term strategy to tackle farmer-herder conflicts through ranching policies, land use reforms, and community-based conflict resolution mechanisms. As part of its resolutions, the Senate directed the establishment of a Police Area Command and a military base in Apa and Agatu Local Government Areas while also calling for increased funding to security agencies to boost intelligence gathering, surveillance, and rapid response capabilities in vulnerable communities. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1672587799169-0"); }); The Senate commended ongoing efforts by security agencies but emphasised the need to overhaul the country’s security architecture toward more proactive, intelligence-driven, and community-based approaches. However, the Senate President declined to put to a vote a resolution urging the Benue State governor to take greater responsibility for protecting lives and property. The chamber observed a minute of silence in honour of the victims of the Ankpali-Edikwu attack. Advertisement googletag.cmd.push(function() { googletag.display("div-gpt-ad-1672587060870-0"); }); Join Our Whatsapp Channel To join: Simply click on the link below & turn on notifications to get the latest updates Subscribe to Our Newsletter In This Article: Benue Military Senate More Stories Security Operatives Arrest Seven Suspects Linked To Benue Abduction Benue Abduction: Those Entrusted To Protecting Students Preoccupied With Election – Obi Benue Abduction: Two UTME Candidates Escape From Kidnappers — Police /* * * CONFIGURATION VARIABLES: EDIT BEFORE PASTING INTO YOUR WEBPAGE * * / var disqus_shortname = 'channelstelevision'; // Required - Replace example with your forum shortname / * * DON'T EDIT BELOW THIS LINE * * */ (function() { var dsq = document.createElement('script'); dsq.type = 'text/javascript'; dsq.async = true; dsq.src = '//' + disqus_shortname + '.disqus.com/embed.js'; (document.getElementsByTagName('head')[0] || document.getElementsByTagName('body')[0]).appendChild(dsq); })(); Please enable JavaScript to view the comments powered by Disqus.