‎BY AHMED AKANBI
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‎The Senate, on Thursday, ordered immediate deployment of troops to three local government areas in Benue State after gunmen massacred 113 persons in four coordinated attacks.
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‎The resolution followed a motion of urgent public importance by Senator Emmanuel Udende (Benue North-East).
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‎Udende told the Senate that Ukum, Katsina-Ala, and Logo LGAs have been thrown into mourning, with farming and economic activities paralysed.
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‎Breaking down the death toll, he said 24 persons were killed at Sai in Katsina-Ala, while 63 were slaughtered at Bom and Aboajio villages in Ukum LGA.
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‎He said 15 others, including six Mobile Police personnel, were killed at Ayilamo in Logo LGA, while 11 more were murdered on October 8 at Tse Biliji, and Tse Shishi Nyako in Ukum.
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‎The Senate condemned the killings and urged the Federal Government to halt the bloodshed through coordinated operations and massive deployment of security assets to vulnerable communities.
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‎It also directed the Inspector-General of Police, Chief of Army Staff, and intelligence agencies to strengthen early-warning and rapid-response mechanisms and ensure perpetrators are brought to justice.
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‎The upper chamber asked NEMA and Benue SEMA to deliver immediate relief materials to displaced victims.
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‎Lawmakers observed a minute silence for the dead, and commiserated with families of the victims and the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).