The Nigerian Senate has declared the recent mass killings of over 200 civilians in Yelwata, a community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, and the massacre of 12 Kaduna indigenes in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, as acts of terrorism.

This came as the Red Chamber, on Wednesday, called for comprehensive reforms to Nigeria’s national security strategy, including the adoption of community-based policing models more suited to protecting vulnerable populations.

While condemning the attacks, which occurred on June 18 and 21 as part of a broader, systematic campaign of violence, the Senate demanded urgent and wide-ranging federal intervention to halt the ongoing bloodshed across the country.

The resolution followed a motion on the Yelwata massacre moved by Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North West), under matters of urgent national importance during a highly emotional plenary session.

Quoting eyewitness accounts, Senator Zam said the assailants, armed with heavy weaponry, launched a coordinated night-time raid on Yelwata, resulting in widespread destruction, the deaths of more than 200 civilians, many of them women and children, and the razing of several communities.

He described the attack as deliberate and genocidal, emphasising that these were not isolated incidents or spontaneous clashes, but rather planned atrocities targeting vulnerable rural populations.

His sentiments were echoed by many of his colleagues, who took turns to express their anger, grief, and concern over the growing pattern of violence in Benue and other parts of Nigeria.

The Senate passed a resolution comprising several key demands and recommendations, including a call on the Federal Government to deploy additional military personnel to Benue State, particularly Yelwata and other known flashpoints, to prevent further attacks and restore security.

The Red Chamber also called for a thorough and transparent investigation into the massacre, with the aim of identifying and prosecuting all perpetrators.

It further urged the Federal Government to compensate the families of the victims and commence the reconstruction of properties destroyed during the attack.

In his contribution, Senator Abdul Ningi (PDP, Bauchi Central) stated that the violence in Benue reflects a broader breakdown of state capacity, urging the chamber to treat the situation as a national emergency rather than as isolated communal unrest.

He also called for a legislative oversight mission to ascertain the extent of the damage and ensure a proper government response.

Similarly, Senator Sadiq Umar (APC, Kwara North) highlighted comparable attacks in Patigi, Kwara State, underscoring that the violence in Benue is part of a growing national pattern.

In his contribution, Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South) advocated for the modernisation of intelligence gathering and security operations, suggesting technology-driven methods to enhance the effectiveness of responses in rural and hard-to-reach areas.

The Senate President, Senator Godswill Akpabio, in his remarks, said, “What we are witnessing is state failure. And outside this chamber, there is a final judgment before God.”

Meanwhile, the Red Chamber on Wednesday erupted in grief and outrage over the gruesome killing of 12 wedding-bound travellers from Kaduna State, who were ambushed and murdered in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State on June 21.

The victims, including women and children, were travelling in an officially marked Ahmadu Bello University bus when they were attacked by suspected local youths.

Rising under a motion of urgent national importance, Senator Ibrahim Khalid (PDP, Kaduna North) described the attack as “a chilling example of lawlessness and rising intolerance.”

He warned that the unchecked violence across the country signals a systemic breakdown of law and order.

“This was not a mistake. It was a barbaric act. The victims were clearly in a university vehicle, seeking directions, yet they were set ablaze,” Khalid lamented.

Seconding the motion, Senator Sunday Marshal Katung (PDP, Kaduna South) noted that retaliatory killings are fast becoming a dangerous norm.

He said, “If this ‘eye for an eye’ cycle continues, we will all end up blind,” urging the swift prosecution of the perpetrators and an end to impunity.

The lawmaker expressed cautious optimism over reports that arrests had been made, but insisted that justice must not only be promised, but delivered.

Other senators drew parallels with similar massacres in Benue and Southern Kaduna, calling for a coordinated national response.

The Presiding Officer, Senator Jibrin Barau, described the killings as “brutal and inexcusable.”

“Burning humans and the vehicle they came in is beyond heinous. This must not go unpunished. With President Tinubu reportedly issuing strong directives and the police confirming the arrest of 53 suspects so far, the Senate insists that anything short of full justice would only embolden future attackers. This was not just an attack on people. It was an attack on our collective humanity,” Senator Khalid said.

The suspended Kogi Central Senator, Natasha Akpoti-Uduaghan, has been informed that she must face the consequences of lying as a lawmaker.

This was as she was challenged to prove her allegations of defamation in open court or be prepared to face the consequences.

The spokesman of the Northern Ethnic Youth Group Assembly (NEYGA), Ibrahim Dan-Musa, disclosed this in a statement he issued.

Dan-Musa stressed that Natasha Akpoti’s action undermines the integrity of Nigeria’s political system.

He also tackled former Education Minister, Oby Ezekwesili, for defending Natasha Akpoti.

Stressing that nobody is above the law, Dan-Musa said Ezekwesili’s defence of the suspended lawmaker was hypocritical.

He said: “A senator who peddles lies must face the consequences.

“She cannot wake up one day, point fingers at high-ranking officials, and expect to walk away unscathed when challenged to prove her claims.”

Dan-Musa also disclosed that the world is watching the court proceedings.

“From the United Nations to Fox News, the international community is observing whether Nigeria will tolerate unsubstantiated defamation or uphold the rule of law,” he added.

Drama started between Natasha Akpoti and Akpabio when the former accused the Senate President of making sexual advances at her.

She claimed that Akpabio denied her some privileges for turning down his sexual advances.

Natasha was subsequently suspended for six months due to her inability to substantiate her allegations.

Akpabio is currently in court to challenge the defamatory claims the suspended lawmaker made against him.

Popular comedian, Efe Warriboy has berated Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia for declaring Wednesday, June 18, a public holiday to welcome President Bola Tinubu to the state amid statewide mourning over the recent Yelewata massacre.

Ekwutosblog reported that the Benue State government in a statement released on Tuesday by the Secretary to the State Government, Serumun Deborah Ambe, declared Wednesday a public holiday to honour Tinubu during his one-day visit to the state and urged residents to “come out en-masse” to welcome the president.

Reacting in a video message shared via his Instagram page, Efe Warriboy stated that Governor Alia’s declaration of a public holiday over the president’s visit to the state was a mockery of the bereaved people of Benue.

He said, “I’m trying my best not to be rude while making this video, but given this scenario, it would be difficult. What’s happening now in Benue State shows that regardless of your title, whether Reverend Father or Senior Pastor, once you hold power in Nigeria, a demon will enter inside you. That’s what I’ve noticed. And when you join APC, it gets worse. Even PDP, they are all the same.

“Just imagine the nonsense declaration of public holiday over President Tinubu’s first in Benue. The Governor is even supposed to be in a state of mourning and not telling people, who just lost their family members, to come and celebrate Tinubu’s visit.

“A man said in a viral video that he lost 20 family members. But the most important to the Governor is welcoming Tinubu. The president is supposed to sneak into the state and not expect heroic welcome. Is he coming to commission a project or dead bodies?

“What is wrong with you, Nigerian politicians? What Governor Alia is doing is simply playing politics with the lives of Benue people. He is trying not to do anything that will make his political overlords deny him his re-election ticket in 2027.