The House of Representatives has asked the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to urgently deploy relief materials and other humanitarian assistance to the victims of the communal clash in Ogobia-Ugboju and Ondo-Ugboju communities of Benue state.
Both communities have been engulfed by series of crises that lasted for over 3 years and claiming over 50 lives and several millions of properties.
In a renewed attack last month, no fewer than 10 persons were murdered in one day, while a retired Army Major, Lawrence Ugbor was burnt alive in his 406 Peugeot car in front of his house which was equally razed.
Moving a motion on the floor of the House on Thursday, Member representing Otukpo/Ohimini federal constituency of Benue State, RT. Hon. Ezekiel Awulu Adaji said, “the people of Ogobia and Ondo Communities are predominantly farmers, and this needless communal violence has rendered thousands of inhabitants homeless, thereby affecting their farming activities”.
Adaji said, there was “palpable tension and apprehension of reprisal attacks as people have continued to flee from both communities to other neighbouring communities, thereby posing serious security threat”.
The lawmaker argued that, “the homelessness caused by the burning of houses coupled with the rains has created serious humanitarian crisis in those communities”, saying there was urgent need for government’s interventions.
Aside resolving that NEMA should deploy relief materials to the affected communities, the House also urged the federal government to, as a matter of urgency, deploy mobile police men to the areas, to maintain law, order and provide security to avert reprisal attacks.
The green chamber also called on the federal government to set up a high powered panel of inquiry, to investigate the remote and immediate causes of the crisis and to prosecute those behind the “dastardly act”.
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