House of Reps demand probe of Benue attacks, aid for victims
The Federal Government has been urged to urgently send relief materials to persons displaced in the Entekpa and Iwilli communities of Benue State following recent attacks by gunmen.
The call was made on Wednesday by the member of the House of Representatives representing Ohimini/Otukpo Federal Constituency, Benue, Blessing Onuh, during a plenary session.
The FIRST CLASS GISTS had reported that a fortnight ago, 10 persons were killed when gunmen invaded the two communities, located in Otukpo Local Government Area of the state.
Speaking under a matter of urgent public importance, Onu noted there were recent attacks on the communities of Entekpa and Iwilli of Otukpo LGA on February 3, 2024.
She also said, “Barely six months ago, over 200 persons were killed and slaughtered by these gunmen, rendering the rest of the community homeless for several months.”
She said it was “saddening that the attacks by the herdsmen are becoming more frequent with the recent attack, which claimed the lives of dozens of persons again, leaving dead bodies decomposing in farmlands and villages within the communities without any solution by the government.
“More saddening is the continuous attacks on this community even with the presence of the Nigeria Police Force and the Army; these perpetrators have taken over the community completely and shut down any individual that dares to gain access to the community.
The House is deeply saddened that no one single individual has been apprehended for this dastardly act.”
Following the adoption of the motion, the lawmakers urged the National Emergency Management Agency and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development to “Immediately deploy relief materials to the displaced victims of the Entekpa Community currently taking refuge in Adoka Village.”
The House also charged the Nigeria Police and all relevant security agencies to carry out an in-depth investigation into the attacks to bring the perpetrators to justice.
