The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, has raised fresh concerns over escalating attacks by suspected armed herdsmen in communities across Benue South Senatorial District, declaring that the area is “literally under siege.”
Speaking under Order 42 on a matter of personal explanation during plenary, Moro lamented the gruesome killing of a public health worker, Ojama Emie, who was reportedly ambushed, murdered and beheaded by suspected armed herdsmen on Monday, June 8, 2026, at Ugbobi Road Junction in Ikobi, Apa Local Government Area of Benue State.
According to the lawmaker, the attackers allegedly took away the victim’s severed head after the attack. He described the Ikobi-Oleogba axis along the Ugbokpo-Ikobi Road as a notorious flashpoint where armed herdsmen frequently ambush residents and travellers.
Moro said several communities in Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Ohimini and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas have continued to suffer repeated attacks, leaving residents living in fear and uncertainty.
The Minority Leader expressed disappointment over what he described as the Benue State Government’s inadequate response to the worsening security situation despite substantial security allocations available to the state.
He noted that security interventions have largely been undertaken by federal security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), while local security outfits such as Operation Zenda, Volunteer Guards and Homeland Security remain poorly funded.
Moro also drew attention to the continued detention of Oloche Silas, a youth leader in Agatu Local Government Area, who he said coordinated community resistance efforts against armed attackers before being arrested and detained for more than a year on allegations of illegal possession of firearms.
The senator further alleged that security operatives assaulted and disarmed youth volunteers who had gathered in Ologo and Asaba communities to discuss measures aimed at protecting vulnerable residents following recent attacks in the area.
Questioning calls for communities to defend themselves, Moro said it was unrealistic to expect unarmed citizens to confront heavily armed attackers.
“Can communities defend themselves against heavily armed herdsmen with bare hands?” he asked.
He therefore called on the leadership of the Senate and the Federal Government to urgently intervene in the security crisis in Benue South and facilitate the release of Oloche Silas and others facing similar circumstances.
The appeal comes amid renewed concerns over recurring attacks, killings and displacement of residents in several parts of Benue State, with stakeholders continuing to demand stronger measures to restore peace and security in affected communities.
