By joshua 
We will devise our own local means to defend ourselves if government continues to fail us – Senator Moro
… Sends delegation to visit areas affected by suspected herdsmen attacks
The senator representing Benue South Senatorial District and Senate Minority Leader, Comrade (Dr.) Abba Patrick Moro, has decried the harvest of deaths going on in Benue State, particularly Benue South by suspected armed herdsmen.
A press release by Emmanuel Eche’Ofun John, media adviser to the Senate Minority Leader, indicated that “Senator Moro, while on live appearance on AIT said the attacks that have claimed several lives and property worth billions of naira were unacceptable. The visibly disturbed Senator Moro said the combination of kidnappings, killings and attacks on communities was an unfortunate development and called on governments at all levels to wake up to their responsibility of protecting lives and property of the people.”
According to the release, “Senator Moro commended governor Hyacinth Alia for finally coming out to condemn the pogrom in the state and urged him to do more for the people.
“He said the efforts of the government at all levels were not enough and called for the establishment of operational bases of security agencies in vulnerable communities.
“Senator Moro lamented the mopping up of arms such as cutlasses, den guns, etc owned by ordinary people by security agents thereby rendering them vulnerable and easy targets by the suspected killer herdsmen. He charged those constitutionally empowered to protect the lives and property of the people to wake up to their responsibilities and provide security for the people.
“While restating Governor Alia’s position, Senator Moro said the killers come to attack, kill, ransack communities and walk away freely. He emphasized the need for rejigging of the security architecture for effectiveness and charged the NSA and other relevant stakeholders to go beyond mere promises and condolences, and walk the talk.
“On the expected roles of the legislature to curb the menace of the marauding herders, Senator Moro said legislators bring security challenges in their various constituencies to the floor of the senate as motions and resolutions are always made and passed to the executives for compliance. He, however, lamented the inaction and outright refusal/failure of the executives to act on most of their resolutions, thereby frustrating their own efforts.
“On the motives behind the attacks, the Senate Minority Leader said the motive was immaterial, stating that whether it is land grabbing or genocide, as being speculated in some quarters, it is the duty of government to checkmate the perpetrators and nip their activities in the bud. He stated that whatever form the killings were taking, government must do everything possible to stop it.
“On alleged occupation of ransacked villages by herders after attack, Senator Moro said it was insulting and unacceptable for that to be allowed in any part of the country. He said where that’s obtainable, it’s the duty of security agents to invade such communities with a view to liberating them and arresting the illegal occupiers.
“The senator insisted that people must be made to live and do their businesses freely in their ancestral homes without any fear, stating that if government continues to fail the people, they would have no other option than to devise their own local means to protect their lives and property.”
“It has become obvious that unless we take the challenge of protecting ourselves in our hands, we will be exterminated completely,” was quoted to have said.
Meanwhile, the Benue South Senator who is said to be currently out of the country on official assignment, has in response to the recent alleged herdsmen attacks in Otukpo and Otobi, sent a high-level delegation to visit the affected areas to assess the situation and offer support.
According to a report by Onjefu Ajeibi, an aide to Senator Moro, “The attacks, which have left the two communities in distress, prompted the urgent action by the senator.”
The senator who had condemned the dastardly act of the suspected herdsmen, was said to have stressed “the need for immediate intervention to restore peace and security in the affected areas. During the visit, the delegation met with the community leaders and victims of the crisis to get first-hand information.”
The report disclosed that “Senator Moro made a financial donation to assist those affected by the violence and to provide immediate relief to the affected families. The senator reiterated his commitment to ensuring the safety and well-being of his constituents, promising to work closely with security agencies to prevent future occurrences.”
The delegation, according to the report, included Rt. Hon. George Alli, former Chairman of Otukpo LGA and SLA to Senate President Godswill Obot Akpabio; Former Deputy Speaker Benue State House of Assembly and SLA to the Deputy Senate President, Hon. Egli Johnson Ahubi; Former Deputy Speaker and SLA to Deputy Senate President, Hon Williams Ogbole; Former GM BENSESA, Rt. Hon. Solomon Onah; Former Member Benue State House of Assembly and Special Assistant to the Senate Minority Leader on Political Affairs, Hon. Okanga Okponya-Ode; Hon Igoche Ajaka, amongst others.