Grief and anger echoed through the Senate as lawmakers condemned the latest wave of killings in Benue State, describing the situation as unacceptable and demanding immediate action.
The Senate called on security chiefs — including Olufemi Oluyede and Olatunji Disu — to intensify coordinated operations to track down those responsible for the violence.
For communities in Benue, this is not just another statement from Abuja.
It is about survival.
Lawmakers urged the Federal Government to deploy more troops and paramilitary personnel to affected areas, particularly Apa Local Government Area, where recent attacks have left families grieving and communities shaken.
They also pushed for deeper, long-term solutions — including the establishment of a military base and police area command in vulnerable regions like Apa and Agatu.
Behind these decisions lies a growing concern:
That the violence is no longer isolated — it is becoming a pattern.
The Senate directed its key committees on defence, army, police affairs, and national security to investigate the recurring attacks and propose lasting solutions.
It also called for increased funding to security agencies to improve intelligence gathering and rapid response — areas many believe remain weak.
At the heart of the crisis is the ongoing farmer-herder conflict.
Lawmakers stressed the need for structural solutions such as ranching policies, land reforms, and community-based conflict resolution to prevent further bloodshed.
As the session unfolded, senators paused for a minute of silence in honour of victims of the Ankpali-Edikwu attack — a moment that reflected the human cost behind the statistics.
For Senator Abba Moro, who raised the motion, the message was urgent:
The killings are becoming more frequent, more brutal, and more dangerous — not just for lives, but for food security and stability in the region.
Yet, even within the chamber, tensions surfaced.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio declined to put to vote a proposal urging the state government to take greater responsibility — a reminder that solutions remain complex and, at times, contested.
For the people of Benue, however, the issue is simple:
They want the killing to stop.
And they want to feel safe again.