Benue Assembly Denounces Attack on Members and Residents

The Benue State House of Assembly has condemned the recent attack on its members and residents of Tyomu and Mbakera in the Gwer Local Government Area of the state.

It was gathered that the members were attacked on Thursday while returning from Katsina-Ala after a public hearing on a bill for a law to provide for the establishment of Benue State Civil Protection Guards and purposes connected therewith.

It was gathered that suspected herders, numbering more than 40 on motorcycles, ambushed them at Tyomu and shot at the vehicles conveying members.

A statement by the Chairman, House Committee on Information And Orientation, Hon Elias Audu, on Friday, said the “Honourable Members who were attacked include Majority Leader Saater Tiseer, Chief Whip, Hon Ipusu Bemdoo, Hon Samuel Jiji of Logo, Hon Simon Gabo of Mata State Constituency and Rt Hon Cephas Dyako.

“Also recalled that residents of the Tyomu community and Mbakera have also been invaded by these suspected herders for several days unchallenged.

“The Speaker, Benue State House of Assembly Rt Hon Aondona Dajoh worried that the mode of operation of the attackers shows that the attack was carefully planned by Herders who are enemies of the State.

The Speaker also worried that an attack on members on a day of public hearing on a security Bill is more worrisome saying it may not be a coincidence.

“He finally stated that the House will remain committed and resolute in carrying out her legislative assignment in the interest of the State.

“The house finally called on Security agents to immediately arrest the terrorists and bring them to Justice,” he said.