The Nigerian Senate on Wednesday asked the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali to withdraw his statement which said, killings in Nigeria was as a result of anti-grazing laws by Benue and Taraba states.
The development followed a point of order by Senator Barnabas Gemade (Benue North East), who faulted the Defence Minister and explained that killings in the country predated anti-grazing laws by those states.
Gemade said about 7 persons were again killed in Kwande local government in Benue North East senatorial district, stating that the state was under siege as killings occur daily.
He was saddened that the more the people of Benue state look up to government for protection, the more dismayed they become.
“Mr. President, distinguished colleagues, this matter is very critical and I need to bring it out.
“Seven people were killed in Kwande Local government area in my Senatorial district yesterday. We are under siege by armed men who kill and destroy farms and homes everyday.
“Very dismayed was that yesterday there was a security council meeting which was persided by President Muhammadu Buhari and at the end of the meeting, the Minister of Defence, Mansur Dan-Ali asked Buhari to stop anti-grazing laws in Benue and Taraba states. ”
He wondered that if the Minister could call for anarchy, where lies the defence of the people, adding that Buhari was being ill-advised by his appointees.
Contributing, Senator John Owan Enoh (Cross River Central) said there was no solution to killings in Nigeria, stressing that killings in Nigeria has nothing to do with anti-grazing laws.
He enjoined the Senate to rise above primordial interest in dealing with killings.
Emmanuel Bwacha also disclosed that 5 persons were killed on their way to farm in Takum Local government in Taraba state yesterday.
He urged the Senate to be united against killings in Nigeria.
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