Blessing Onuh, representing Otukpo-Ohimini federal constituency in the House of Representatives, has urged President Bola Tinubu’s government to curb the escalating insecurity and incessant killings in Benue.
Speaking with journalists on Tuesday in Abuja, Ms Onuh, of the All Progressives Congress, lamented the incessant attacks and killings in Otukpo in Benue, describing the situation as a “national emergency” that requires immediate attention.
She appealed to Mr Tinubu to direct security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend the perpetrators, bring them justice, and restore peace to the affected communities.
“The killings in my constituency have reached an outrageous level in recent weeks. Every day we witness the senseless murder of innocent people and tragically, it is beginning to feel as though it is normal,” Ms Onuh said.
She claimed that people were being killed and kidnapped repeatedly, yet nothing seemed to be happening to the perpetrators.
“Families mourn their dead, return home, and brace for the next attack by suspected herdsmen,” she added.
Ms Onuh stated that a retired customs officer, Onche Akatu, was brutally murdered a day ago while two members of his family were kidnapped in Asa 2 community, Otukpo LGA.
“Should the dead man now rise to pay ransom for their release? My heart bleeds,” she lamented.
Ms Onuh also said a nursing mother, Felicia Ochigbo, was recently slaughtered in the Old NTA area of the Asa community, among several other killings in Benue communities.
“As I speak to you now, people are running away from their communities without even knowing if where they are going is even safe. Are these killers above the law? Why is it so difficult to apprehend them and restore peace so that our people can sleep with their two eyes closed?” she stated.
The lawmaker also raised concerns that the fear of violence had forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands, adding that the development was worsening food shortages in the region.
Ms Onuh advised the youths against jungle justice or reprisal attacks, emphasising that taking the law into their own hands would only escalate the crisis.
She assured her constituents of her commitment to working closely with political leaders and security agencies to end the heinous acts plaguing her constituency.
“I will engage with political stakeholders and security heads to ensure these atrocities come to an end. Our people deserve to live in peace,” the lawmaker said.
(NAN)
