Sen Abba Moro Calls for Action on Renewed Attacks on Benue Communities By Fulani Bandits
Senate Minority Leader and lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial District, Senator Abba Moro, on Wednesday moved a motion on the renewed attacks on Benue South communities in the last few days by suspected Fulani herdsmen.
The Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo Ugboju communities of Otukpo Local Government Area were attacked by armed bandits on Friday, Sunday and Tuesday respectively resulting in the death of 20 persons, displacement of several persons and destruction of properties worth millions of naira.
In the motion titled, “MOTION ON THE URGENT NEED TO STOP THE GRUESOME MURDER OF INHABITANTS OF AKPACHI-UGBOJU, OTUKPO-NOBI, AND THE FRESH ATTACKS ON ONDO UGBOJU IN OTUKPO LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF BENUE STATE BY SUSPECTED BANDITS”, Senator Moro lamented sustained attacks on defenceless constituents and called on government at all levels to secure the lives and properties of Nigerians, which is the primary responsibility of every government.
The motion reads;
“THE SENATE:
“NOTES with utter dismay and heavy heart the horrific and unprovoked attacks on the peaceful, agrarian Communities of Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi and Ondo Ugboju communities of Otukpo Local Government Area, Benue State, by suspected Armed Bandits between Friday, Sunday of last week and Tuesday this week;
“AWARE that the primary responsibility of any government, as enshrined in Section 14(2)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended), is the security and welfare of its citizens;
“FURTHER Aware that the weekend assaults resulted in the tragic and gruesome murder of innocent, defenseless citizens, with a confirmed death toll of two (2) lives lost in Akpachi-Ugboju and sixteen (16) lives lost in Otukpo-Nobi, bringing the total number of fatalities in these two incidents to eighteen (18);
“DISTURBED that aside from the lives lost, numerous members of these communities sustained varying degrees of life-threatening injuries and are currently admitted in various hospitals struggling for their lives, while properties and farmlands have been destroyed, forcing survivors to flee their ancestral homes;
“ALARMED by the sudden, coordinated, and fresh attack launched on Ondo Ugboju, July 14, 2026, which has thrown the entire local government area into a state of panic, widespread displacement, and severe humanitarian crisis with a confirmed death cases of two (2) lives lost in Ondo-Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area of Benue State;
“CONCERNED that the relentless and audacious nature of these attacks suggest a deliberate attempt to decimate these communities, and if urgent security interventions are not immediately deployed, the situation will degenerate into a complete breakdown of law and order, alongside a looming food crisis as farmers are forced to abandon their farmlands out of fear for their lives.
“ACCORDINGLY RESOLVES TO (PRAYERS):
“1. Observe a minute of silence in honor of the twenty (20) innocent citizens who were gruesomely murdered in Akpachi-Ugboju and Otukpo-Nobi, and others who may have lost their lives in the fresh attack on Ondo Ugboju.
“2. Condemn in the strongest possible terms the unprovoked killings and destruction of properties by suspected bandits in Ugboju and Otukpo Districts.
“3. Urge the Inspector General of Police (IGP), the Chief of Army Staff (COAS), and other relevant security agencies to immediately deploy a heavy security presence to Akpachi-Ugboju, Otukpo-Nobi, Ondo Ugboju, and surrounding communities to restore normalcy, protect lives, and prevent further attacks.
“4. Mandate the Inspector General of Police to conduct a thorough investigation into the attacks, track down the perpetrators, and ensure they are brought to justice to serve as a deterrent to others.
“5. Urge the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to urgently mobilize and supply relief materials (including food, medical supplies, and shelter) to the displaced persons and the injured currently receiving treatment in various hospitals.
“6. Mandate the Senate Committees on Police Affairs, Defense, and National Security and Intelligence to interface with the heads of security agencies to evaluate their operational strategies in Benue South and ensure compliance with these resolutions.
“I so move.”
In his response, the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, sympathized with Senator Moro and the people of Benue South over the attacks. He said Nigerians deserved the right to sleep in their houses with their eyes closed and go about their lawful activities without fear.
He expressed optimism that the resolutions of the senate would be implemented to forestall future occurrence in the affected communities and indeed the entire country.
A minute silence was observed in honour of all those who died in the attacks.