Killings: Reps demand urgent military action as fresh attack rocks Benue

By Christiana Ekpa

The House of Representatives on Thursday raised alarm over the ongoing waves of killings in communities within the Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency of Benue State, calling on the Federal Government and security agencies to urgently strengthen military operations to stop the attacks.
Moving a Motion of Urgent Public Importance on the floor of the House, Hon. Terseer Ugbor decried what he described as coordinated attacks by armed mercenaries and bandits on several communities in Kwande Local Government Area in recent weeks, which have led to deaths, injuries, destruction of property and mass displacement of residents.
Ugbor recalled that on February 3, 2026, attackers invaded Abande and Anwase communities in the Turan district, killing at least 17 people, including a Mobile Police officer, while several others sustained injuries and homes, farmlands and livelihoods were destroyed.
He said similar attacks were also recorded in Anem and Tomataan communities in Ikyurav-Ya, as well as parts of Ikyov in Ushongo Local Government Area.
According to the lawmaker, another deadly assault occurred on March 5, 2026, when armed assailants killed 16 people in Mbaav community in Mbadura Council Ward and Mbachoon community, including surrounding areas in Yaav Council Ward, leaving several others injured.
“As we speak here today Mr Speaker, a mass burial is currently planned to bury some of the people who recently lost their lives to these attacks,” Ugbor said.
The lawmaker disclosed that during an on the spot assessment of the affected areas on March 8, he observed that although a full battalion of the Nigerian Army had been deployed to the area, the troops were facing operational constraints that hinder effective response.
He also noted that the operational mandate of the deployed forces appeared unclear, raising questions about whether the mission was intended as a peacekeeping effort or a full combat operation aimed at flushing out armed groups and bandits operating in the area.
Ugbor further warned that the porous Nigeria Cameroon border corridor in Benue State has created easy entry and exit routes for armed groups, providing safe havens in ungoverned spaces.