On March 10, 2025, armed bandits posed as herders and invaded a community in Benue killing and attacking several people.
The senate has once again summoned all security chiefs to appear before it next week to address growing concerns over escalating insecurity, banditry, and kidnappings nationwide.
Those summoned include: Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hassan Abubakar, Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, Director General of Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, and National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.
The senate also urged security agencies to restore law and order in Gwer-West and other affected areas. It also called for the enforcement of the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in Benue State to curb farmer-herder conflicts.
Additionally, lawmakers directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide immediate relief materials to displaced communities.
These resolutions stemmed from a motion sponsored by Sen. Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West) during Wednesday’s plenary, titled: “Urgent Need for the Federal Government to Deploy Troops to Immediately Restore Law and Order in Gwer-West Local Government of Benue State.”
Sen. Zam recounted how, on March 10, 2025, armed bandits posing as herders invaded Gyaruwa community in Gwer-West, killing four people. The attack triggered violent protests by frustrated youths, who accused the government of neglecting their security.
In the unrest, demonstrators burned down the local government secretariat, destroyed the paramount ruler’s palace, and attacked private residences, including Sen. Zam’s home.
The senator condemned the Benue State government’s failure to enforce the anti-open grazing law, arguing that this emboldens bandits and fuels insecurity. He warned that continued violence in Gwer-West would devastate agriculture and food production, threatening livelihoods and food security.
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The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio, clarified that security chiefs had previously been invited but could not attend due to scheduling conflicts. Their rescheduled appearance next week will focus on urgent security concerns and possible solutions.
This follows an earlier senate summons on February 19, 2025, when security heads were called to address allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was linked to funding Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria.
The senate thereafter observed a minute of silence in honor of the victims of the recent attacks.
