By NICHOLAS DECHI

The Benue State House of Assembly on Monday condemned the abduction and murder of a traditional ruler in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area (LGA) and called on security agencies to intensify efforts to arrest those responsible.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Mr Bemdoo Ipusu (APC/Katsina-Ala), who drew the attention of the house to the killing of the Kindred Head of Mbajiir in Tongov, Chief Sughter Agamber, by suspected gunmen.

Ipusu noted that the 10th assembly had in the past two and a half years received and deliberated on several motions relating to insecurity in Benue, particularly in Katsina-Ala.

According to the lawmaker, the traditional ruler was abducted on Friday by unknown gunmen at Kam Village in Tongov, Katsina-Ala LGA.

Ipusu informed the house that local authorities, including the Tor Sankera, the Ter Katsina-Ala, and the chairmen of Katsina-Ala and Ukum local governments, made frantic efforts to secure the victim’s release after being notified of the incident.

He, however, said that the lifeless body of the traditional ruler was discovered in the bush on Saturday morning, indicating that the abductors had killed him.

The lawmaker expressed concern that the killing of a kindred head signalled a dangerous escalation in the security situation in the area.

He said that the attack represented an assault on the traditional institution, noting that criminals had moved from targeting ordinary citizens to abducting and killing traditional rulers.

Ipusu further told the house that residents of Kam had begun fleeing the area for fear of further attacks, leaving the community largely deserted.

He stressed that the killing of any citizen was unacceptable and warned that villages could become graveyards if urgent steps were not taken to address the situation.

Mr Michael Audu (APC/Adoka-Ugboju), who seconded the motion, urged security agencies to step up their operations to tackle insecurity in the affected areas.

Also contributing, Mr Simon Gabo (APC/Mata) called on security operatives to intensify efforts to secure the release of other victims of kidnapping in the region.

He also recommended that Operation Zenda establish an additional checkpoint along the Ugbema–Ikov–Jato Aka axis.

In his contribution, Dr Abraham Jabi (APC/Buruku) urged the Benue Government to revive vigilante groups through traditional rulers to support security agencies in combating crime.

The Speaker, Mr Alfred Emberga, directed the House Committee on Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to interface with Operation Zenda as well as the Bureau of Homeland Security and report back to the house on Tuesday, 17 March, during an executive session.

He urged the Police Command in Benue, the Department of State Services and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps to collaborate and intensify efforts to trace, arrest and prosecute those responsible for the crime.

He further called o’ Operation Zenda to mount a checkpoint and ensure regular patrols around Kam, which lies along the boundary between Ukum, Logo and Tongov in Katsina-Ala local government. (NAN)

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