By Haruna Salami
The Senator representing Benue South, Abba Moro, has criticized the Benue State Government’s response to the recent deadly attacks in Otukpo Local Government Area.
He described governor Hyacinth Alia’s N5 million donation to the victims as inadequate and misplaced, arguing that traumatized residents need active security, not financial handouts.
Speaking with journalists at the National Assembly on Wednesday, Senator Moro revealed that during Governor Alia’s condolence visit to Otukpo and the hospital housing the injured, victims initially rejected the N5 million donation.
The governor subsequently offered to settle their medical bills instead.
“The people made it clear that what they need is protection, not money.
“While medical assistance is important, preventing these attacks in the first place must be the government’s top priority,” he stated
Key concerns raised by Senator Moro include widespread fear due to recurring armed attacks that have left residents unable to sleep peacefully, farm their lands, or conduct daily business.
Moro cited the recent abduction of mourners transporting the remains of a retired FRSC Deputy Corps Marshal as glaring evidence of Benue’s deteriorating security.
He added that the Senate leadership previously resolved to meet with President Bola Tinubu regarding nationwide insecurity, but that crucial meeting has yet to take place.
Senator Moro accused the Benue State Government of operating a reactive rather than proactive security strategy, claiming that actionable intelligence had warned of the Otukpo attacks a week prior.
“I cannot say who is negligent or complicit. What is clear is that these attacks continue despite the primary responsibility of government to protect lives and property,” Moro said.
He criticized the administration’s pattern of “issuing statements after attacks” and alleged that the state’s Commissioner of Police was unable to reach Governor Alia in the days leading up to the tragedy.
Moro also dismissed attempts to link the massacre to the recent killing of the Benue Miyetti Allah chairman, insisting that no prior incident could ever justify the mass slaughter of innocent citizens across three communities.
Despite the Senate’s approval of the constitutional amendment for state policing, Senator Moro reiterated his strong reservations regarding its implementation, focusing on two main hurdles.
He concluded by urging both state and federal authorities to move past debates on terminology—whether the attackers are labeled “bandits” or “terrorists”—and focus entirely on halting the ongoing bloodshed.
