State police won’t stop Benue killings – Minority leader

• Says governors lack resources to fund state police, warns against political abuse of outfit

• Says security agents failed to utilise intelligence to avert attacks

• Senate asks IGP, COAS, others to deploy troops to attacked communities

Senate Minority Leader Abba Moro has declared that the creation of state police would not, on its own, end the recurring killings in Benue State, insisting that many state governments currently lack the financial capacity to fund existing local security outfits, let alone establish and maintain state police.

This is just as lawmakers urged 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.

They also mandated the IGP to conduct a thorough investigation into the attacks, track down the perpetrators, and ensure they are brought to justice as a deterrent to others.

Speaking with journalists on Wednesday at the National Assembly while reacting to the latest attacks on communities in Benue South Senatorial District, Moro said governors were already struggling to pay and equip informal security outfits operating in their states.

“I stand to be corrected, but the last time I checked, members of one of the volunteer security outfits were being paid just N15,000 per month, and even that has not been paid. They lack the necessary logistics and equipment to confront armed attackers,” he said.

Questioning the financial viability of state police, Moro asked, “If you are unable to equip these informal security outfits or even pay them N15,000 monthly, where are you going to get the money to fund state police?”

He also expressed concern that state police could be abused for political purposes, like some State Independent Electoral Commissions (SIECs).

“Those asking for state police are asking for it as an institution without necessarily addressing how it will be used. How are we sure it will not be deployed the same way State Independent Electoral Commissions have been used in recent times, thereby endangering our democracy?” he asked.

The Senate Minority Leader spoke against the backdrop of fresh attacks on several communities in Benue South, which he described as unprovoked and evidence of worsening insecurity in the state.

According to him, the Otukpo community was attacked on a Friday, two persons were killed in Akpachi-Nobi within 48 hours, while another attack on Ondo Ugboju community followed days later, leaving many residents dead.

“And so the story goes on and on. Barely three months ago I came under the same circumstances announcing attacks on communities in Benue South. At that time, I described it as a siege on our communities,” he said.

Moro lamented that innocent residents were now being killed in their homes without provocation.

“People wake up at 5 a.m. to the sound of gunshots, and before you know it, a sizable number of people have been killed. Nigerians must begin to ask where we go from here,” he stated.

The lawmaker also alleged that security agencies had prior intelligence about one of the attacks but failed to act. He claimed that the paramount ruler of the Idoma Kingdom received intelligence seven days before one of the attacks and immediately alerted the Commissioner of Police, who, according to him, said he had been unable to reach the governor.

“Seven days later, the community was attacked and people were killed. How do I need to meet Senator David Mark or the Och’Idoma before the governor knows that his people are being killed? Governors should be the first responders whenever lives are under threat.”

He accused state authorities of reacting only after attacks had taken place instead of taking preventive measures.

“Governors remain in the comfort of Government House, issue statements condemning attacks after they happen, but they do not deploy security to prevent them. For how long shall we continue condemning attacks instead of preventing them?” he queried.

Moro also faulted Governor Hyacinth Alia’s response to the latest killings, describing the reported N5 million donation to affected communities as inadequate and insulting.

“I think it is insulting for a governor to send N5 million to a community where about 20 people have died, many others are injured and the entire community has been ransacked. The people are not asking for money; they are asking for protection.”

The senator lamented that the worsening insecurity had made farming and other legitimate economic activities almost impossible as “our people can no longer go to their farms. They can no longer carry out legitimate businesses. They are no longer safe even in their homes.”

He also recalled the recent abduction of mourners accompanying the remains of a retired Deputy Corps Marshal of the Federal Road Safety Corps to Benue for burial, describing it as further evidence of the deteriorating security situation.

Moro disclosed that he had again raised the matter on the floor of the Senate and renewed his call for the Senate leadership to meet with President Bola Tinubu to brief him directly on the situation.

“Sometimes aides and appointees do not tell the President the true situation on the ground. We wanted to meet Mr President to convey the concerns of our constituents, but that meeting has yet to take place.

“The killings continue unabated. We cannot continue like this. The situation has reached an intolerable level and is no longer acceptable,” he said.

Earlier, during plenary, the Senate strongly condemned the unprovoked killings and destruction of property by bandits and asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs and Poverty Alleviation to urgently mobilise and supply relief materials, including food, medical supplies, and shelter, to displaced persons and the injured currently receiving treatment in various hospitals.

It observed a minute’s silence in honour of the 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.

In addition, its Committees on Police Affairs, Defence, and National Security and Intelligence were mandated to interface with the heads of security agencies to evaluate their operational strategies in Benue South and ensure compliance with the Senate’s resolutions.