Politics
Benue Government’s failure to enforce open-grazing law encourages bandits’ attacks on communities — Senator Zam
The senator representing Benue North West senatorial district, Titus Tartengar Zam, has attributed the lack of enforcement of the Open-Grazing Law Governor Hyacinth Alia’s administration to the brazen attacks by bandits disguising as herders on Benue communities.
Rising on Order 51 of Senate Rules, the lawmaker lamented the attack on Gyaruwa community in Gwer Local Government Council of Benue State by bandits, which led to the killing of scores of victims.
Irked by the attack, Senator Zam stated that irate youths resorted to wanton destruction of property, including his residence, the palaces of monarchs, and the houses of other prominent individuals, alleging that political leaders in the state had failed them.
The lawmaker said: “However, the inability of the present administration in Benue State to enforce the law has exposed members of the National Assembly from Benue State to undue pressure and name-calling by our constituents. This situation has emboldened the bandits and further worsened the security situation in Benue State and beyond.
“The Senate is aware that the peace-loving people of Gyaruwa community in the aforementioned Local Government Area of Benue State were invaded by bandits masquerading as herders on Monday, 10th March 2025, resulting in the killing of four persons.
“It is also aware that yesterday, irate youths took to the streets in protest against the continued killings of the people and the government’s seeming inability to protect them.
“The Senate may further note that, in anger and frustration, the youths burned down the Gwer Local Government Secretariat, the palace of the paramount ruler of the Local Government Area, my private residence, and the houses of other prominent sons of the Local Government Area, accusing us of failing to safeguard the community.
“Aware that I have on several occasions moved motions and presented views on this subject, including being accused of advocating open-grazing prohibition and running this establishment, which is awaiting public hearing. The Senate is also aware that the Benue State House of Assembly has enacted an open-grazing prohibition law, which still subsists.”
He called for intervention by the Federal Government to prevent further carnage, as tension continues to grip the community.
His counterpart representing the Benue South senatorial district and the Senate Minority Leader, Abba Moro, corroborated his position, stating that the Open-Grazing Law enacted by the Benue State House of Assembly has not been implemented.
Following contributions by the lawmakers, Senator Victor Umeh, in his prayers, suggested the establishment of a military outpost to curb incessant attacks on the community, noting that some communities in Benue State have been under siege by bandits for the past eleven years.
In his remarks, Senate President Godswill Akpabio affirmed the prayers and urged the Federal Government to swiftly establish a military outpost.
Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, on Friday declared that he’s still a member of the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP.
Wike’s comment followed his expulsion from the party by the faction led by National Chairman, Kabiru Turaki.
Turaki had formally dispatched expulsion certificates to 11 prominent party chieftains, including Wike, former Ekiti State governor, Ayodele Fayose, Senator Samuel Anyanwu, Umaru Bature, Kamarudeen Ajibade, SAN, Abdurahman Muhammad Senator Mao Ohuabunwa.
He said their expulsion was aimed at sanitising the party ahead of the 2027 elections.
Reacting to the development on Friday, Wike dismissed the claim while assuring that he would continue to work with other party members in making PDP a relevant opposition party.
The minister spoke while addressing journalists after inspecting the Interchange bridge and road linking Gwarinpa with Jahi and direct to Katampe, Gishiri and Maitama.
He said, “Those that are factionalized are bound to leave the party, I’m still in PDP and you can see that not everybody has left.
“We still have good numbers and we will continue to work together and that’s what I have said to the party. Put your house in order because at the end of the day, if you don’t put your house in order, it’s the party that is losing.
“So those who are worried, we can work together to see how the party can remain a relevant opposition.”
The governments of Abia and Imo States have announced the launching of a joint security taskforce and surveillance along the Aba-Owerri expressway, starting from Owerrinta in Abia State all the way to Owerri, Imo State.
The launch followed recent attacks by criminals on the expressway, including kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The formation of the joint security taskforce and surveillance was announced by Ferdinand Ekeoma, the Special Adviser to Governor Alex Otti on Media and Publicity.
His statement read in part: “Arising from a strategic emergency security meeting held today, 4th December, 2025, by the Governors of Abia and Imo Sates at the Imo State Government Owerri House, His Excellency Governor Alex Otti and His Excellency Senator Hope Uzodinma resolved to set up a joint security Taskforce that shall consist of Soldiers, Naval Personnel, Police Officers , DSS Personnel, and other Government Security Agencies.
“The joint security Taskforce shall, starting from tomorrow 5th December 2025, patrol the road 24 hours nonstop, while carrying out massive surveillance in the surrounding bushes using sophisticated drones and other modern security equipment.”
According to the statement, Governor Alex Otti commended the Governor of Imo State for arresting the criminals who carried out an attack on His advanced team and other passengers a few days ago.
“The two Governors, while assuring citizens plying the road on a daily basis and those returning home for Christmas of their safety and security, warn that there would be severe consequences for any criminal caught on the road going forward”, Ekeoma concluded.
President Bola Tinubu has transmitted to the senate two lists of 34 career and 31 non career ambassadors nominees for screening and confirmation.
Prominent names listed as non career ambassadors include Reno Omokri, Femi Fani-Kayode, Gen. Abdulrahman Dambazau, Victor Ikpeazu and Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.
Also listed as non career ambassadors nominees are Prof. Mahmood Yakubu, Vice Admiral Ete Ibas, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim, Senator Nora Daduut, Fatima Ajimobi, and Senator Ita Enang among others.
The two lists brings to 68 number of persons nominated so far as ambassadors awaiting confirmation by the Senate.
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