Dare Babalola
The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abbas, has condemned the recent killings in Kwara and Benue states that reportedly left hundreds of innocent Nigerians dead.
In a statement issued on Thursday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Musa Krishi, the Speaker expressed deep concern over the continued loss of lives across the country, noting that innocent citizens keep dying in questionable circumstances.
He urged security agencies to “rise to their constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.”
“The Speaker of the House of Representatives Rt. Hon. Abbas Tajudeen, Ph.D., GCON, condemns in strong terms the latest killings in Kwara and Benue States, which have reportedly left over a hundred persons dead.
“He expressed concern that innocent citizens keep losing their lives in questionable circumstances, noting that the security agencies must take more decisive action in collaboration with the people for a safe society,” the statement read.
The attacks, which occurred in Woro and Nuku communities in Kwara State’s Kaiama Local Government Area and Abande community in Benue State’s Kwande Local Government Area, have sparked widespread concern over the escalating insecurity in the region.
Abbas described the socio-economic impact of insecurity as immeasurable, stressing that “both the government and the governed must collaborate to face the nation’s common enemies.”
He assured Nigerians that the National Assembly would continue to work with President Bola Tinubu to ensure the provision of the resources required by security agencies to confront insecurity head-on.
The statement partly read, “While over 70 people were feared killed during an attack by suspected terrorists on Woro and Nuku communities in the Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State on Tuesday night, a separate attack occurred in Abande community in Mbaikyor Ward, Turan, Kwande LGA of Benue State, where bandits reportedly killed scores.
“The Speaker, who lamented the deaths and destruction that insecurity has caused Nigeria, called for drastic and concerted efforts by all stakeholders to protect lives and property.”
The latest attacks are part of a disturbing pattern of violence that has persisted in parts of Kwara and Benue States in recent years, with communities in Kaiama, Baruten and other border Local Government Areas increasingly coming under attacks by armed groups exploiting the state’s vast forests and porous boundaries with neighbouring states.
