Senate Reacts To Benue Killings

The Senate has expressed frustration over the continued loss of lives in Benue State, declaring that it is time for action as Nigerians are tired of condolence visits after recurrent attacks in the state and across other parts of the country.

This is just as the upper chamber disclosed that a delegation of senators will join President Bola Tinubu and other officials from the Executive arm on a state visit to Benue State today, Tuesday, June 17, to commiserate with victims of the latest round of killings.

Speaking at a briefing of journalists at the National Assembly on Monday, June 16, Senate spokesman Yemi Adaramodu said the visit would also provide an opportunity to engage critical stakeholders in the state and chart a path forward.

“We are even tired of paying condolence visits,” he said. “We must put a stop to it. We are tired of going to Plateau today, Benue tomorrow. The Senate, along with the Executive, is determined to ensure that these senseless killings come to an end.”

He said the planned visit to Benue would include a fact-finding mission and high-level engagements aimed at addressing the root causes of insecurity in the region.

“Our intention is not just to console the victims but to engage stakeholders and ensure that the government—both the Executive and Legislature—is seen to be responsive,” he said.

“We are convening a national security summit soon, where not only the military and security agencies, but also the media, civil society groups, women, youths, and traditional rulers will participate. This is beyond condolence—it is time to find solutions.”

“Tuesday’s visit is not the end; it is the beginning of a coordinated response,” he said. “We must show Nigerians that their lives matter, and we will do everything to protect them.”

The lawmaker called on all levels of government, security agencies, and communities to collaborate in ending the bloodshed.

He further explained that despite the efforts of the Senate and the House of Representatives in making budgetary provisions to improve security operations, incidents like those in Benue have continued due to systemic challenges that require collaborative resolution.

“No one can say we have not engaged security agencies or funded their operations,” he said.

“What is happening now—these sporadic killings—must be tackled through local involvement and joint responsibility. Like they say, all politics is local. The same way, all security is local.”

Responding to enquiries on what the Senate is doing to stop the killings, he emphasised that the upcoming visit to Benue will help reaffirm the Senate’s commitment to security reform and community protection.

“The presence of the government in Benue on Tuesday—both Executive and Legislative—is to show that we are not turning a blind eye,” he said. “And the planned security summit will go further to identify gaps and generate lasting solutions to these killings, not only in Benue but across Nigeria.”

“Enough is enough,” he declared. “We cannot continue to live on the pages of newspapers announcing death tolls. It’s time for real action.”

The senator also used the opportunity to defend the Senate’s adherence to its constitutional responsibilities and procedures in plenary sittings and emergency decisions.

He clarified concerns about voting procedures used in recent decisions, especially the controversial endorsement of emergency rule in Rivers State, saying, “We followed our rules. Security matters are debated in closed session as stipulated, and a consensus was reached. What we agreed upon was affirmed in plenary. We acted within the law.”

He also defended the number of plenary sitting days held by the Senate in the past two years.

“Out of 365 days in a year, we are constitutionally expected to sit for 181 days, and we have always met or exceeded that milestone,” he said. “In addition to plenary, we carry out committee work, oversight functions, and investigations, all of which contribute to our legislative duties.”

On allegations that Senate investigations and probes often go nowhere, the senator explained that most times, outcomes of probes influence government action behind the scenes, even if not publicly dramatised.

“Ours is to investigate, make resolutions, and recommend action. It is up to the Executive and relevant agencies to implement them,” he said.

“But it is false to say our work yields no result.”