Benue Killings: Senate Raises Alarm As 113 Reportedly Die, Demands Urgent Security Action

The Senate has called on the Federal Government to intensify security operations in Benue State following a series of attacks that reportedly claimed 113 lives, including six Mobile Police personnel, in communities across the state’s North-East Senatorial District.

The lawmakers urged security agencies to strengthen operations in the affected communities, establish effective early-warning mechanisms, apprehend the perpetrators and provide adequate protection for residents to prevent further bloodshed.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Senator Emmanuel Udende, representing Benue North-East Senatorial District, who drew the Senate’s attention to recurring killings, destruction of property and displacement of residents in Ukum, Katsina-Ala and Logo Local Government Areas of the state.

Presenting the motion, Udende expressed concern over the worsening security situation, warning that the attacks had resulted in significant loss of lives, destruction of livelihoods and a deepening humanitarian crisis.

According to the senator, the first reported attack occurred in Sai, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, where 24 people were killed.

He said a second attack in the villages of Bomb and Abojo, in Ukum Local Government Area, claimed 63 lives, while another attack along the Ayilamo–Tombo Road in Logo Local Government Area reportedly killed 15 people, including six Mobile Police personnel.

The motion also cited an attack on October 8, 2026, in the villages of Tse Biligi and Tse Shimiaku.

Udende said the recurring attacks had left families bereaved, properties destroyed and residents exposed to persistent threats to their lives and livelihoods.

He warned that the violence had heightened fear and insecurity in rural communities, disrupted farming and other economic activities, and increased the risk of further killings and mass displacement.

The senator called for immediate and coordinated intervention by the Federal Government and relevant security agencies to restore peace and protect vulnerable communities.

The Senate subsequently urged the Federal Government to deploy adequate security personnel and operational resources to the affected areas.

It also called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and the heads of relevant security and intelligence agencies to strengthen security operations, investigate the attacks and ensure that those responsible were brought to justice.

Seconding the motion, Senator Jide Ikenshagba, representing Ondo North Senatorial District, expressed concern over the reported killing of security personnel, warning that the situation raised serious questions about the safety of unarmed residents.

“If the security personnel are being killed, what happens to the civilians?” Ikenshagba asked.

He added: “We have military personnel involved, and we have other security personnel involved. What about the civilians who have no means of defending themselves?”

The senator urged his colleagues to give the matter serious consideration and ensure that the necessary measures were taken to address the security challenges confronting the affected communities.

Also contributing to the debate, Senator Idayat Oluoti Adebule, representing Lagos West Senatorial District, commiserated with the affected communities and the Nigeria Police Force over the loss of lives.

Adebule described the situation as unfortunate and paid tribute to security personnel who continue to risk their lives to protect communities across the country.

“It is quite unfortunate that we are still confronting this situation. However, we must not forget the sacrifices made by our security personnel in protecting our communities across Nigeria,” she said.

She called on the relevant authorities to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

The senator also supported the provision of relief materials and humanitarian assistance to victims whose homes and livelihoods had been destroyed by the attacks.

She urged the government to take the necessary steps to protect vulnerable communities and bring an end to the killings.

Following deliberations, the Senate adopted five prayers aimed at addressing the security and humanitarian challenges arising from the attacks.

The resolutions included condemning the killings, urging immediate Federal Government intervention, strengthening security operations, providing humanitarian assistance to displaced persons and observing a minute of silence in honour of the victims.

The lawmakers called on the National Emergency Management Agency, in collaboration with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency and other relevant authorities, to provide immediate relief materials and humanitarian assistance to affected residents.

The Senate also expressed condolences to the families of the deceased and the affected communities, with particular sympathy for the Nigeria Police Force over the reported deaths of six Mobile Police personnel.

In his concluding remarks, the Senate President thanked the lawmakers for their contributions and expressed sympathy with the affected communities, bereaved families and security agencies.

He called for stronger security operations and increased deployment of personnel to vulnerable areas, stressing the need for the relevant authorities to take decisive action to prevent further loss of lives.

The Senate President also urged the relevant Senate committee to engage with security agencies and pursue measures to address the security challenges in the affected communities.

The Senate’s intervention underscores growing concern over the safety of rural communities in Benue State and the need for sustained security operations, effective intelligence gathering and coordinated humanitarian support to prevent further attacks.