Benue Killings: Reps Demand FG Deploy Drones, Modern Equipment

The House of Representatives has urged the federal government to tackle head-on, the killings and general insecurity in some parts of Benue state, particularly the Kwande/Ushongo federal constituency.

Accordingly, the House asked the federal government and security agencies to immediately deploy additional technological support like drones, logistical support, surveillance assets and modern combat equipment to forces in Kwande LGA to contain and neutralise the bandits.‎‎

It also called on the federal government to transform the Benue Nigeria–Cameroon border area into an Export Processing Zone (EPZ) with strong security and economic infrastructure to promote legitimate activities and deny safe havens to criminals.‎‎

The Green Chamber further urged an immediate ban on illegal mining in affected areas, alongside a strict regulatory presence to monitor and control operations and block criminal exploitation.‎‎

These resolutions were sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance moved by Hon. Terseer Ugbor(APC, Benue) at plenary on Thursday.

Moving the motion, Ugbor said
in recent weeks, coordinated attacks by armed mercenaries and bandits have struck several communities in Kwande Local Government Area, causing deaths, injuries, property destruction and mass displacement.‎‎

He noted that on 3rd February 2026, attackers invaded the Abande and Anwase communities in Turan district, killing at least 17 people including a Mobile Police officer, injuring others and destroying homes, farmlands, and livelihoods while similar assaults also hit Anem and Tomataan in Ikyurav-Ya and parts of Ikyov in Ushongo local government. ‎

The lawmaker informed that last Thursday, armed assailants killed 16 people in Mbaav community in Mbadura Council Ward and Mbachoon community including surrounding areas in Yaav Council Ward, with others sustaining various degrees of injuries.

“As we speak here today Mr Speaker, a mass burial is currently planned to bury some of the people who recently lost their lives to these attacks.‎‎‎

“Following my visit and on-the-spot assessment to the affected areas on Sunday, 8th March 2026, I observed that while a full battalion of Nigerian Army personnel are deployed, they face operational constraints that hinder effective response.

“The operational mission is also not clear if this is simply a peace keeping mission or a full combat operation to flush out armed groups and bandits who have found a safe haven around the axis. ‎‎

“The porous Nigeria–Cameroon border corridor in Benue state offers easy entry/exit routes and safe havens in ungoverned spaces for armed groups, combined with illegal mining in the mineral-rich border area attracting criminal networks and fueling illicit activities worsening regional insecurity.

“The Kashimbila area in Taraba state has also become a staging ground for these terrorists disturbing the peace of the region, raising concerns that without urgent action, attacks may escalate, deepening the humanitarian crisis and endangering national security,”he added.

Adopting the motion, the House mandated its Committees on Defence, National Security and Intelligence to liaise with relevant agencies for prompt implementation and report back to the house.

It observed a one-minute silence for fallen men and women who had been affected by the ongoing violence in Benue and other parts of the country.