From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The Senator representing Benue North East and Senate Committee Chairman on Anti-corruption and Financial Crimes, Senator Emmanuel Udende has approved the appointment of 17 additional aides in a deliberate attempt to effectively serve his people.
The development has brought the total number of the Benue North East aides to 63.
Already, the 17 additional Benue North East indigenes have been communicated of their appointment, which takes immediate effect.
They are Wuaga Joseph Iorsuur; Yiman Amih; Dominic Mbaadega; Joseph Agyo; Bough Oraduen; Igbaukum James; Zakaa Terfa Moses; John Tion Iyo; Shatan Shamo; Terungwa Kaahar; Musa Idi; Richard Terfa Ayoosu; Benedict Aondoakura Nyiyongo; Terver Shaakaa; Terfa Per Adôôr; Torbee Terhemen Philip and Moses Achinbee Ihyoor.
According to a statement on Thursday by his Special Adviser on media and publicity, Jerry Iorngaem, Sen Udende, who congratulated his new aides on their appointment urged them to put in their best to justify the confidence he has reposed in them, in helping him to deliver democratic dividends to the people.
Senator Udende had recently moved the Senate to pass a resolution on the continued and unprovoked killings by herdsmen in Benue state.
The Senate had urged the service chiefs and heads of other security agencies to, as a matter of urgency, deploy security personnel to address the continuing and ongoing attacks by armed terrorists parading as herdsmen on communities in Kwande, Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State to flush them out and restore normalcy to the affected communities, and invest in surveillance technology and equipment to detect and prevent future attacks.
The Senate equally called for a review of the security architecture in the affected areas to forestall the continuous attacks.
It also urged the National Emergency Management Agency, NEMA, to immediately mobilise relief materials for the people displaced by these attacks in Kwande, Ukum, Logo, and Katsina-Ala Local Government Areas of Benue State.
The resolutions of the red chamber were
sequel to a motion brought under matters of urgent public importance pursuant to Orders 41 and 51 of the Senate Standing Orders 2023 (as amended) by Senator Emmanuel Udende, APC, Benue North East, following the fresh attacks on the Benue communities.
Senator Udende had lamented that no fewer than 50 persons have been killed in fresh attacks in the affected communities, adding that as of Tuesday, March 5, those attacked included Tyuluv, Borikyo, Kundav, Ugbaam, Uyam, Udedeku, Yaaiwa, Nyihemba, Tomatar, Menakwagh, Yiase, and Agura, all in the Benue North East Senatorial district of the state.
He said: “The residents of the villages and communities now find themselves targeted daily by heavily armed terrorist herdsmen, and the toll continues to be staggering as they bear the brunt, with reports of marauders butchering several villagers, leaving many homes completely burned down and numerous residents still missing, while the perpetrators, however, remain elusive and have not been apprehended.”
“This pathetic situation and development have inflicted untold hardship on women, children, and the elderly, who are trekking long distances in search of a haven and awaiting the intervention of security operatives.”
