The Benue House of Assembly has praised Governor Hyacinth Alia for his efforts in tackling security challenges in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area.
The commendation followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Mr Jonathan Agbidye (APC/Katsina-Ala East) during plenary on Monday in Makurdi. The motion condemned the killing of security personnel in Katsina-Ala on Friday.
Agbidye commended the governor for ensuring the deployment of joint military operations to the area.
He said the local government had suffered repeated attacks by invaders, leaving many residents dead, while farmlands and valuable property had been destroyed.
According to him, the situation worsened as the attackers occupied parts of Mbatyula/Mberev Council Ward, launching assaults on citizens from their hideouts.
Agbidye added that the militia, armed with sophisticated weapons, ambushed and killed security operatives, abducting others during a clearance operation around Agu Centre.
He expressed concern that the latest incident came barely a month after invaders attacked Saint Paul’s Parish, Aye-Twar, where they destroyed the church, parish secretariat, priest’s residence, vehicles and pastoral resources, forcing residents to flee.
He warned that if urgent action was not taken, the violence could spread across Sankera and neighbouring areas.
“If armed security personnel are gruesomely murdered in such a manner, what then is the fate of our defenceless citizens?” Agbidye asked.
The motion was seconded by Mr Terna Shimawua (APC/Kyan), who noted that the killings had persisted for nine years.
Shimawua acknowledged the governor’s efforts but urged him to intensify them, while also appealing to President Bola Tinubu for federal support.
Ruling on the motion, Speaker Alfred Emberga condemned the killing of security personnel and said the assembly sympathised with the families of the victims and the affected agencies.
He called on the state government to complete the road project from Gbishe to Mbakyer through Agu Centre to ease movement for residents and security personnel.
(NAN)