THE Northern Senators Forum has condemned the recent attacks in Benue and Kaduna states and killing of at least 44 persons of citizens, as well as displacement of many families.
Chairman of the Forum, Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, in a statement, recalled: “In Benue, an early morning attack on Tuesday, July 28, on Efeyi Community in Ugboju, Otukpo LGA, left 13 people dead and several others injured, with security agencies deployed to the area to restore order.
“In Kaduna, a separate attack on Sunday, July 26, in Naridon Village, Kamaru Ward, Kauru LGA, claims about 30 lives, including women and children, and leads to the destruction of homes.”
The Forum expresses deep sympathy with the governments and people of both states, and all affected families, even as it welcomed the Federal Government’s commitment to strengthening national security, through the expansion of the Nigerian Army Divisions from eight to 12 and recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel, which the senators described as a timely step that provides more strategic coverage and operational support across the country and helps restore public confidence.
They, however, stressed the need for adequate equipment, logistics and welfare for personnel to enable the new formations to function effectively.
The Forum urged communities to cooperate with security agencies by providing timely information, and he Federal Government to ensure swift apprehension of perpetrators and adequate support for victims and displaced persons.
