The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has condemned the recent killings in Kwara and Benue states, which reportedly claimed the lives of scores of residents.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, Abbas expressed deep concern over the continued loss of innocent lives across the country and urged security agencies to rise to their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
The Speaker noted that although conflicting figures have trailed the attack on Woro and Nuku communities in Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, reports indicated that more than 70 people were feared killed during the Tuesday night assault, allegedly carried out by suspected terrorists.
He also referenced a separate attack in Abande community, Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State, where bandits were reported to have killed scores of residents.
Lamenting the deaths and destruction caused by rising insecurity nationwide, Abbas called for drastic and concerted efforts by all stakeholders to stem the tide of violence and restore public confidence in the state’s ability to guarantee safety.
He stressed that the socio-economic impact of insecurity was immeasurable and emphasised the need for collaboration between the government and citizens to confront the country’s security challenges.
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Abbas assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue to work with President Bola Tinubu to ensure the provision of adequate resources to security agencies to enable them tackle insecurity effectively.
The latest attacks are part of a sustained pattern of violence in parts of Kwara and Benue states. In Kwara, communities in Kaiama, Baruten and other border local government areas have increasingly come under attack by armed groups exploiting vast forests and porous boundaries with neighbouring states.
Similarly, Benue State has witnessed prolonged violence in rural communities across Logo, Guma, Kwande and adjoining areas, with attacks linked to banditry and communal clashes resulting in displacement, destruction of farmlands and recurring humanitarian crises.