The Senate has raised a national alarm over coordinated attacks on agrarian communities in Benue State.
Lawmakers confirmed that four separate assaults left 113 people dead, including six Mobile Police officers.
Senator Emmanuel Udende representing Benue North-East sponsored the urgent motion during plenary on Thursday, October 22, 2026. He disclosed that armed assailants targeted rural farming settlements, destroying homes and disrupting local agricultural activities.
Consequently, the red chamber observed a minute of silence and demanded an immediate overhaul of national security frameworks.
Senate Raises Alarm as Death Toll Hits 113 in Coordinated Assualts
Senate President Godswill Akpabio expressed deep concern over the tragic loss of armed security personnel during the attacks.
“If armed security officers are killed in these attacks, what happens to unarmed communities?” Akpabio questioned.
- Police Casualties: The killed officers fell while attempting to defend vulnerable residents from heavy gunfire.
- Humanitarian Crisis: Hundreds of displaced villagers now face severe shortages of shelter, food, and basic relief supplies.
- Senate Resolutions: Lawmakers urged the Inspector General of Police and Service Chiefs to deploy additional tactical units immediately.
Furthermore, the Senate directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to deliver relief materials to displaced families.
Call to Establish Early-Warning Systems Across Rural Corridors
In addition to troop deployments, lawmakers urged security heads to move away from reactive operational strategies. Senator Udende stressed that intelligence agencies must build robust early-warning mechanisms to stop planned ambushes.
“Persistent violence has heightened fear among rural farmers who form the backbone of our regional food security,” Udende stated.
Therefore, the Senate Committee on Security and Intelligence will collaborate with Service Chiefs to reassess personnel deployments.
Finally, the Senate mandated law enforcement agencies to track down the perpetrators and bring them to justice swiftly.
