Senate Calls For Restriction Of Cattle Movement Nationwide Over Benue Killings

The Senate on Wednesday called for the restriction of cattle movement across the country through the setting up of ranches in each of the 774 local government areas.

The Senate in plena­ry believes this will curb cases of incessant attacks and killings resulting from farmers/herders clash.

The call is coming on the heels of a motion of urgent national importance spon­sored by Senator Emmanu­el Udende on the killings in Ayilamo, Anyiin, Uzer, Aze­ge and other communities in Logo Local Government Area of the Benue State.

The Senate also directed the security operatives to swiftly curb the prolifera­tion of firearms across the country just as it directed the ministries of National Planning, Police Affairs, Budget Office and the Police Force to ensure adequate funding in the 2025 budget for the construction of the Mobile Police Barracks at Ayilamo in Logo Local Government Area of Benue State to guarantee addition­al security.

Udende, who brought the motion under 41 and 51 of the standing orders of the Sen­ate, regretted the killing of 18 persons while on their way to church to worship God.

“On the first day of De­cember 2024 at Azege in Tombo council ward of Logo Local Government Area, 18 persons were killed on their way to church ser­vice by suspected armed herdsmen.

“These attacks, allegedly perpetrated by herdsmen, have continued unabat­ed, undermining security, peace and the socio-econom­ic stability of the affected communities.

“That between 22nd Oc­tober 2024 and today, nearly fifty people have been killed, with 15 killed in Ayilamo, 25 in Anyiin and 6 in Uzer communities respectively,” he said.

According to him, the continuous insecurity in these areas is a direct con­travention of the consti­tutional provision under section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 constitution (as amended), which provides that the se­curity and welfare of the people shall be the primary purpose of government.

Senator Udende argued that lack of adequate and timely intervention by se­curity agencies has embold­ened the attackers to carry out further heinous attacks.

Sen.Victor Umeh, OFR blamed the killings on the inability of authorities to stop open grazing.

Senator Umeh recalled how a Catholic priest and worshippers were mur­dered during worship ser­vice in Benue State.

In his contribution, Sena­tor Titus Zam described the killing as recurring decimal that has wreaked massive havoc on innocent people of the state and urged the gov­ernment to act decisively.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, who also contributed to the debate, expressed concerns that Nigeria is at risk of been overwhelmed if it con­tinues to experience food insecurity and insecurity of lives and properties and advised the security opera­tives to rise to the challenge as quickly as possible.

Senator Aliyu Wadada said it is a paradox that while other nations are working towards technology advancement “we are killing ourselves, shedding blood as if we are killing mosquitoes. The sad thing is that all ef­forts are not working, we are religious people and we must act in a Godly manner”.

Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, said the current killings in Benue and other parts of the country should be investigated, alleging that “when people come, kill and go away, it calls for con­cerns and I think it should be properly investigated. We need to understand what is happening. We must get to the root of this matter be­cause I don’t think it is as simple as we see it”.

While condemning the dastardly act, the Senate further directed the Chief of Defense Staff, the Inspec­tor General of Police and the Director-General of the Department of State Ser­vices (DSS) to immediately deploy additional security personnel to the affected areas to restore peace and order.

The National Emergen­cy Management Agency (NEMA) was also directed to provide immediate relief materials and assistance to displaced persons in the af­fected communities.