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By Oscar Okhifo, Abuja
The lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro is not a happy man. The killings in his home state of Benue have dipped his joy.
The lawmaker seems to have concluded that those charged with the responsibility of securing the people are not doing much. He pointedly accused the security agents in the state of extorting the people they are sent to protect, while criminals are on rampage.
He has accused President Bola Tinubu of ignoring Senate’s many recommendations on insecurity.
Senator Moro bared his mind while speaking as a guest of “Democracy Today,” a production of the African Independent Television (AIT) on Monday.
“There’s no Benue person with a conscience today that would say he or she is not brothered by the resurgence of killings across the state. We are tired of burying our slain citizens. These killings need to stop.
“It gladens my heart that the Governor has spoken up finally. He condemned the recent killings. He has been silent and his silence has not been golden. One hopes he goes beyond the condemnation and making of promises. These are not enough”
The Senator thinks that the President and the Governor have failed as the Commander -in-chief of the armed forces and as Chief security of the state.
“Gov. Hyacinth Alia should do more. our people can’t farm any more. They also no longer feel safe in their homes. The president controls all the security agencies. He should stand up against the killers of our people.
“In other climes, leaders act swiftly when attacks happen. They leave their comfort zones and take strict steps to halt violence. Even if they’re on vacation, they cut it short and return home to address such challenges. Benue needs help. The President and the Governor need to do more. Enough of lukewarmness!
“As a Senate, we have been doing what we are supposed to do. If we pass resolutions, make recommendations and pass such to the executive and the executive refuses to act on our recommendations, what can we do? We keep debating these things and file out solutions-laden recommendations. The executive just keeps ignoring them.
“One may be right to say the security agents on ground are overwhelmed by the situation. Why can’t the government recruit more Nigerians so we can have more boots on ground? Even the ones on ground go about extorting transporters on the highways in the state, ” he noted.
Moro, a member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) also noted that “In Oturkpo, near the bridge, there’s a checkpoint manned by the police and soldiers.
“Just about 500 metres from it, a Benue Links bus was attacked. From the checkpoint, it is possible to see the scene of the attack. The attackers did their damage and went away unchallenged. Incidents like these are reported across the state. They extort the same people they are deployed to protect.
“In Oturkpo, there are different security formations, yet, people are abducted from their houses and criminals operate freely,” he lamented.
While calling for swift action, Moro added, “We cannot allow these attacks to continue. These attackers are not the usual herdsmen. Otherwise, they wouldn’t be going about leading their ravenous cattle with AK-47 rifles.
“They’d lead cows to farms, eat up crops and kill the farmers. They invade communities to kill and kidnap helpless people. There are displaced people’s camps everywhere. These are people who fled from their communities.”