The Senate on Wednesday raised the alarm over the worsening wave of killings in Benue South, calling on the Federal Government to urgently intervene following the gruesome beheading of a public health worker by suspected armed herdsmen.
The demand followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, who painted a chilling picture of communities living under constant attacks across the district.
Moro told lawmakers that the victim, Ojama Emie, was ambushed, killed and beheaded by suspected armed herdsmen on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Ugbobi Road Junction in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to him, the attackers allegedly made away with the severed head of the deceased after the attack.
“Ugbobi Junction is a safe haven for armed herdsmen that frequently ambush road users,” Moro lamented, describing the incident as one of several deadly attacks that have continued to terrorise residents of the area.
The lawmaker said the security situation in Benue South had deteriorated to alarming levels, with several communities across Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Ohimini and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas allegedly under siege.
“Like Ikobi, like Ojantele-Akwete, like Ankpali Edikwu in Apa LGA; like Okokolo, Aila, Ogbaulu and Odugbeho in Agatu LGA; like Ugbamaju, Emichi, Otobi Akpa in Otukpo LGA; and communities in Ohimini and Ogbadibo LGAs, Benue South Senatorial District is literally under siege,” he said.
Moro accused the Benue State Government of not doing enough to confront the crisis despite receiving substantial security allocations.
He noted that residents largely depend on federal security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Police and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), for protection.
According to him, local security outfits such as Operation Zenda, Volunteer Guards and Homeland Security lack adequate funding and support to effectively tackle the attacks.
The senator also expressed concern over the continued detention of a youth leader, Oloche Silas, who he said coordinated local resistance efforts against armed invaders in Agatu Local Government Area.
Moro disclosed that Silas has remained in custody for more than a year over allegations of illegal possession of firearms, leaving vulnerable communities without coordinated local security leadership.
He further alleged that soldiers recently assaulted and disarmed youth volunteers who gathered in Ologo and Asaba communities to discuss security strategies after three farmers were reportedly killed in Ikobi.
“Prominent traditional rulers and even the Department of State Services have advised citizens to defend themselves. Can communities defend themselves against heavily armed herdsmen with bare hands?” he asked.
Disturbed by the development, the Senate urged the Federal Government to take immediate steps to restore peace and security in the troubled communities.
Moro also appealed to the Senate leadership and relevant authorities to facilitate the release of Silas and others facing similar circumstances, arguing that they could assist in safeguarding their communities.
Following deliberations, Senate President Godswill Akpabio referred the matter to the Senate Committees on National Security and Intelligence, Defence, and Police Affairs for urgent legislative action.
The committees are expected to investigate the situation and recommend measures to address the escalating insecurity in Benue South.
