Senator Abba Moro on Wednesday raised alarm over what he described as worsening attacks by suspected armed herders across communities in Benue South Senatorial District, informed the Senate that residents are living under siege and abandoned to their fate.
Raising a matter of urgent public concern under Order 42 on the floor of the Senate, Moro cited the recent killing of a public health worker, Ojama Emie, who was reportedly ambushed, murdered and beheaded by suspected armed herders at Ugbobi Road Junction in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the senator, the attack occurred on June 8, 2026, along a route that has become notorious for deadly ambushes on road users. He alleged that the victim’s head was severed and taken away by his attackers.
Moro said the killing was only the latest in a series of violent incidents affecting communities across Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Ohimini and Ogbadibo local government areas, warning that insecurity has reached alarming levels throughout the district.
He listed several communities that have repeatedly come under attack, including Ikobi, Ojantele-Akwete, Ankpali Edikwu, Okokolo, Aila, Ogbaulu, Odugbeho, Ugbamaju, Emichi and Otobi Akpa.
The lawmaker expressed disappointment with what he described as the inadequate response of the Benue State Government to the security crisis, despite the availability of security votes. He noted that security interventions in affected communities are largely being undertaken by the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
He further alleged that local security outfits, including Operation Zenda, Volunteer Guards and Homeland Security personnel, are not receiving adequate funding from state and local government authorities to effectively confront armed attackers.
Moro also drew attention to the continued detention of one Oloche Silas, a youth leader from Agatu Local Government Area who, according to him, coordinated community resistance efforts against armed marauders. He said Silas has remained incarcerated for more than a year over allegations of illegal possession of firearms.
The senator additionally claimed that soldiers recently disarmed and assaulted youth volunteers who had gathered in Ologo and Asaba villages to discuss security measures following the killing of three farmers in Ikobi.
Questioning how unarmed communities could defend themselves against heavily armed attackers, Moro said traditional rulers and security officials had advised residents to protect their communities, but lacked the means to do so effectively.
He appealed to the Senate leadership and the Federal Government to intervene urgently in the security situation and facilitate the release of Oloche Silas and others facing similar circumstances.
“Can communities defend themselves against heavily armed herdsmen with bare hands?” the senator asked, as he called for stronger action to protect vulnerable communities across Benue South.
