Benue Assembly summons Homeland Security D-G over killings

Benue Assembly summons Homeland Security D-G over killings

The Benue State House of Assembly has summoned the Director-General, Homeland Security, Air Commodore Jacob Gbanwuam (Rtd), to appear before it and explain his recent comments on killings in the Kwande Local Government Area (LGA).

The summon followed a motion moved by Mr Thomas Dugeri (APC/Kwande West State) during plenary on Tuesday in Makurdi.

Dugeri noted that Benue had witnessed sustained violent attacks by armed bandits for more than 10 years.

The lawmaker said that successive administrations made different efforts in addressing the criminality, but the problem persists.

He further noted that the efforts of the Alia-led administration since the assumption of office in May 2023 had yielded a modest success in addressing the menace.

Dugeri stated that Gbamwuan appeared on Africa Independent Television (AIT) on Monday and refuted a report on the recent massive killings of people in Kwande LGA by bandits.

He said that the public denial of attacks, maiming and killings of Benue citizens by no less a personality than the Benue Homeland Security D-G had sparked public outrage and criticisms against the state government.

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The lawmaker said that he was worried that the public outing of one of Benue’s security chiefs had implications for the image of the state.

According to him, if not checked, it will go down in the records and portray the government in a bad light.

The motion, which was seconded by Mr Abu Umoru (PDP/Apa), stated that issues of security should not be treated with levity.

Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Hyacinth Dajoh, said that the house commended the efforts so far made by the Benue State Government in tackling security challenges in the state.