By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
The Senate has directed security agencies in the country to urgently restore peace in the Gyaruwa community of Gwer-West Local Government Area of Benue State, following violent youth protests ignited by the incessant attacks of bandits in the area.
The Red Chamber also urged the Benue State Government to enforce open grazing prohibition and ranche establishment law to control the activities of herders operating within the State.
The resolution followed a motion moved by Benue North-West, Senator Titus Zam, during the plenary yesterday, whose House was torched by the ravaging youth during the protest.
Zam is the Chairman of the Senate Committee on Rules and Businesses.
He expressed concerns over the persistent attacks by bandits disguised as herders in the State.
Bandits invaded the Gyaruwa community on Monday and killed four persons during the attack.
Irate youths staged a protest on Tuesday to express their grievances on the incessant killings in the State.
They accused the government and elected officials of failing to protect them from relentless attacks by armed groups.
The violence in the Gyaruwa community is just one example of the worsening insecurity in Nigeria, particularly in the North-Central region, where clashes between herders and farmers have persisted for decades.
The crisis had led to thousands of deaths, displacement of entire communities, and economic downturns.
Zam said that in addition to his House, the protesters also burned the secretariat of the Gwer-west local government, the palace of the paramount ruler of the community, and the houses of some prominent people in the community.
He claimed the youths carried out the actions based on accusations that elected representatives from Benue State had not been fair to them.
“The youths, in anger and frustration, burnt down the Gwer-West local government Secretariat, the palace of the paramount ruler of the local government area, my private residence, and houses of other prominent sons in the Local Government Area, accusing us of inability to safeguard the community,” he complained.
Zam said he had moved several motions and presented bills prohibiting open grazing and ranch establishment.
He emphasised the need to fully enforce Benue State’s Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law to regulate herders’ activities and prevent further conflict.
He said, “I have on several occasions moved motions and presented bills on this subject matter, including a bill on open grazing prohibition and ranch establishment, which is awaiting public hearing. Benue State House of Assembly had enacted an open grazing prohibition law, which still exists.
“However, the manifest inability of the present administration in Benue State to enforce the law has exposed members of the National Assembly from Benue State to undue pressure and name-calling by our constituents. This situation has emboldened the bandits and further worsened the security situation in Benue State.”
The Senator noted that the continuous attack on residents of the Gyaruwa community would affect the people’s food production and livelihoods.
“The Senate may conclude that the incessant attacks by bandits on Gyaruwa community in Gwer-west Local Government Area of Benue State will significantly impact food production and agricultural activities jeopardizing food security and livelihoods of the affected Local Government Area.”
Zam requested the Senate to urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to send relief materials to the affected communities.
The Minority Leader, Abba Moro, who seconded the motion and represents Benue South Senatorial District, also complained that residents of the State are attacking elected representatives.
He said, “The continued silence of the state government contributes to residents attacking elected representatives. The state government has not demonstrated empathy.
“We, the elected representatives, are endangered species at the moment. He added that the citizens are frustrated and passing it on to the other citizens,” he added.
The Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, mandated the Senate Committees on National Intelligence, Army, Navy, and Defence to visit the community, sympathised with the victims of the attack, and urged the Benue state government to enforce open grazing prohibition and ranching.
Akpabio said the Senate would soon engage the heads of security agencies in the country to discuss the rising cases of insecurity.
