The Senate has urged the Federal Government to deploy more troops in Yelewata and other affected communities in Benue State following deadly attacks that claimed over 200 lives.

Rising from its plenary on Wednesday, the Upper Chamber also urged security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into the massacre and bring the perpetrators to justice.

“The Senate condemns in the strongest terms the heinous killings in Yelewata and all forms of mass violence against innocent Nigerians,” said Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, who presided over the session.

The lawmakers observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims and commended President Bola Tinubu for his intervention, which included a directive to the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials and an order for immediate investigations.

The resolutions followed a motion moved by Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), who described the June 13 attack as “a tragic, genocidal massacre”.

He said, “Over 200 innocent civilians, including women and children, were gruesomely murdered in Yelewata.

“Survivors and human rights organisations, such as Amnesty International and Human Rights Watch, have described the incident as a well-coordinated assault carried out with impunity.”

He added that similar attacks had occurred recently in Aondoana and Naka towns in Gwer-West Local Government Area, where 50 more people were killed, highlighting a troubling pattern of targeted violence and displacement.

The senator also expressed frustration over what he called a delayed response by security agencies.

“It is alarming that there was no timely intervention that could have prevented or at least reduced the scale of the carnage,” he said.

He further criticised the Benue State Government’s handling of the security situation, saying, “It is disheartening that despite the availability of huge security resources, the state has not been able to effectively protect its citizens.”

However, Zam praised Tinubu’s proactive measures.

“We commend the President for his swift action, including the visit to Benue State and the arrest of suspects linked to the killings,” he said.

The Senate also backed the Federal Government’s plan to establish ranches nationwide as a long-term solution to the frequent clashes between herders and farmers.

“This is a wake-up call.

“We must protect our rural communities and ensure that no Nigerian lives in fear of unprovoked attacks,” Akpabio said. (PUNCH)