A member of the House of Representatives representing Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue State, Blessing Onuh, has asked President Bola Tinubu to order immediate military intervention following renewed attacks that have claimed more than 50 lives in parts of her constituency in recent times.
In a letter dated July 28 and addressed to the President, the lawmaker said the persistent attacks had left communities under siege, displaced hundreds of residents and forced many farmers to abandon their farmlands for fear of being killed.
She urged the Federal Government to reinforce security operations by deploying a permanent Joint Task Force, JTF, to the affected communities, provide emergency humanitarian assistance for displaced victims and fast-track the establishment of the proposed Otukpo Army Barracks.
The appeal comes days after fresh attacks on communities in Benue reignited concerns over the worsening security situation in the state, with political leaders and residents calling for stronger federal intervention.
In the letter titled, “Urgent Appeal for Presidential Intervention to Stop the Ongoing Massacre and Renewed Killings in Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue State,” Onuh said she was writing on behalf of constituents traumatised by the continued bloodshed.
“I write to you today on behalf of the traumatized and grief-stricken people of Otukpo/Ohimini Federal Constituency of Benue State, with a heavy and bleeding heart,” she wrote.
While commending President Tinubu and security agencies for gains recorded against insurgency and banditry in other parts of the country, the APC lawmaker said communities in her constituency had continued to suffer repeated attacks.
“As a dedicated and loyal member of our dear party, the All Progressives Congress, APC, I am compelled to write because, despite sponsoring several motions on the matter, addressing press conferences, and engaging relevant stakeholders, the situation continues to deteriorate, with innocent lives being lost daily and my people living in extreme fear and uncertainty,” she stated.
According to her, communities including Otukpo-Nobi, Akpachi-Ugboju, Agadagba and Efeyi have come under coordinated attacks by armed assailants, leaving more than 50 people dead within weeks, while many others have been injured or remain missing.
She said the attacks had displaced hundreds of families, destroyed livelihoods and left many communities deserted.
“Our people are under siege. The recent wave of violence has forced hundreds of helpless citizens to abandon their homes and means of livelihood out of fear,” the letter stated.
Onuh said the worsening insecurity had crippled farming and made daily life unsafe for residents.
“Our farmers can no longer access their farms. Families returning from social gatherings and children sleeping in their ancestral homes now live in constant fear because of these recurring attacks,” she lamented.
Although she acknowledged steps already taken by the Federal Government to tackle insecurity, the lawmaker said the security presence in the affected communities remained inadequate.
She urged the President to approve the immediate deployment of a permanent Joint Task Force comprising military personnel, police and other security agencies, intensify intelligence-driven operations to arrest those behind the attacks and their sponsors, and provide food, shelter, medical care and other relief materials for displaced victims.
Onuh also appealed for the speedy establishment of the proposed Otukpo Army Barracks, saying a permanent military base would strengthen security across the constituency and neighbouring communities.
She expressed optimism that decisive intervention by the Federal Government would restore peace, enable displaced residents to return home and allow farmers to resume their livelihoods without fear.
