The Benue State House of Assembly on Monday condemned the abduction and killing of the Kindred Head of Mbajiir in Tongov, Katsina-Ala Local Government Area, Chief Sughter Agamber, and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to track down those responsible.
The House resolution followed a motion moved by Mr Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala), who drew the attention of lawmakers to the killing of the traditional ruler by suspected gunmen.
Ipusu told the House that the 10th Assembly had, over the past two and a half years, repeatedly deliberated on motions concerning the growing insecurity in Benue State, particularly in the Sankera axis which includes Katsina-Ala.
He explained that the traditional ruler was abducted on Friday by unknown gunmen at Kam Village in Tongov, Katsina-Ala LGA.
According to him, local authorities including the Tor Sankera, the Ter Katsina-Ala, and the chairmen of Katsina-Ala and Ukum local government councils made frantic efforts to secure the victimās release after being informed of the incident.
However, Ipusu said the lifeless body of the monarch was discovered in the bush on Saturday morning, indicating that the kidnappers had killed him.
He expressed concern that the murder of a kindred head signaled a dangerous escalation in insecurity in the area, stressing that criminals had moved from targeting ordinary citizens to attacking traditional rulers.
The lawmaker further informed the House that residents of Kam community had begun fleeing their homes for fear of further attacks, leaving the settlement largely deserted.
He warned that the continued killing of citizens could turn communities into graveyards if urgent measures were not taken to address the security crisis.
Seconding the motion, Mr. Michael Audu (APC/Adoka-Ugboju) urged security agencies to intensify operations to curb insecurity in the affected communities.
Also contributing, Mr. Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) called on security operatives to step up efforts to rescue other victims of kidnapping in the region.
He also recommended that Operation Zenda establish an additional checkpoint along the UgbemaāIkovāJato Aka axis.
In his remarks, Dr. Abraham Jabi (APC/Buruku) urged the Benue State Government to revive vigilante groups through traditional rulers to support security agencies in tackling crime.
Ruling on the matter, the Speaker, Alfred Emberga, directed the House Committee on Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to interface with Operation Zenda and the Benue State Bureau of Homeland Security and report back to the House on March 17 during an executive session.
He also urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to collaborate and intensify efforts to trace, arrest and prosecute those behind the crime.
The Speaker further called on Operation Zenda to mount a checkpoint and ensure regular patrols around Kam community, which lies along the boundary between Ukum, Logo and Tongov in Katsina-Ala LGA.
Benue Assembly condemns killing of Katsina-Ala traditional ruler, demands arrest of culprits
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