By Gloria Ikibah
The House of Representatives has appealed to the Federal Government, through the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), to promptly deliver humanitarian assistance to individuals and families recently displaced from the Yelwata area in Benue State following a violent disturbance.
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According to reports, a significant number of residents lost their lives in an incident involving unidentified armed individuals. The attack, marked by the use of advanced weaponry, resulted in substantial casualties and has drawn national attention, prompting widespread expressions of concern and calls for immediate action.
This resolution was sequel to the adoption of a motion of urgent public importance by Rep. Dickson Tarkighir, member representing Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency of Benue State of Wednesday at plenary.
Rep. Tarkighir noted that apart from those who lost their lives following the June 14 invasion of 200 of Yelwata community, thousands of residents have been displaced, leading to a dire humanitarian situation marked by loss of lives, destruction of property, and widespread destitution.
He said, “The House is aware that similar attacks have occurred regularly within and beyond my constituency, exacerbating insecurity and fear among communities in the region.
“The House is also aware that the National Emergency Management Agency and other relevant relief agencies have been called upon to provide urgent humanitarian assistance to the affected persons.
“We are concerned that the scale of the crisis requires immediate and coordinated intervention to prevent further loss of lives and to provide adequate support for the displaced and affected communities.
“We are worried that any delay in response and lack of comprehensive security measures may escalate the violence and deepen the humanitarian crisis in the area.”
The House unanimously adopted the motion through a voice vote and directed NEMA, the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and all relevant agencies to urgently provide adequate relief materials and medical assistance to the displaced persons and victims of the attack.
The House also resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to probe instances of violent attacks in Benue State over the past 15 years and come up with recommendations on how to prevent future occurrences.
The House further mandated the Committee on Interior and Security to “Immediately visit Yelwata and other affected communities in Guma Local Government Area to assess the situation on the ground and report back with recommendations.
It further mandated the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace and security in Guma and protect vulnerable communities from further attacks, even as it directed the Federal Government to build a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the army in Yelwata, to forestall further attacks on the border community.
