The Nigerian Senate has called for an urgent overhaul of security operations in Benue State following a series of attacks that reportedly claimed 113 lives, including six Mobile Police officers, across several communities.
The resolution was adopted during plenary on Thursday, October 22, 2026, following a motion sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Memga Udende, representing Benue North-East Senatorial District. The attacks affected communities in Katsina-Ala, Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, leaving residents facing continued threats of violence and displacement.
Presenting the motion, Udende disclosed that 24 people were reportedly killed in Sai community, Katsina-Ala, while another attack on Bom and Aboajio villages in Ukum claimed 63 lives.
He said a separate attack in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area, resulted in 15 deaths, including six Mobile Police officers. Another 11 people were reportedly killed on October 8 when armed attackers invaded Tse Biliji and Tse Shishi Nyako villages in Ukum.
The four incidents brought the reported death toll to 113, according to figures presented to the Senate.
Udende expressed concern that repeated attacks had destroyed homes, disrupted farming and other economic activities, and forced residents to abandon their communities.
Seconding the motion, Senator Jide Ipinsagba questioned the ability of vulnerable communities to protect themselves when security personnel were also being killed.
“If the security personnel are being killed, what happens to the civilians?” he asked.
The Senate subsequently urged the Federal Government to strengthen security operations in the affected areas and ensure adequate protection for residents.
Lawmakers called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Chief of Army Staff and other security and intelligence chiefs to deploy sufficient personnel, equipment and operational resources to vulnerable communities.
They also demanded improved intelligence gathering, early-warning systems and rapid-response mechanisms to identify threats and prevent attacks before further casualties occur.
The chamber called for thorough investigations into the killings and the arrest and prosecution of those responsible.
Senator Idayat Adebule, who represents Lagos West, condemned the violence and expressed condolences to the affected families and the Nigeria Police Force over the deaths of its personnel.
Beyond security intervention, the Senate urged the National Emergency Management Agency to collaborate with the Benue State Emergency Management Agency in providing humanitarian assistance to displaced residents and families affected by the attacks.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio directed the relevant Senate committee to engage security agencies on measures to strengthen operations and personnel deployment in the affected communities.
The lawmakers observed a minute of silence in honour of those killed.
The resolution adds to continuing demands for stronger protection of rural communities in Benue State, where recurring armed attacks have affected agricultural production, livelihoods and public safety.
However, the Senate's resolution does not establish that additional security personnel have already been deployed or that those responsible for the attacks have been apprehended.
The reported death toll of 113 is based on the four incidents presented to lawmakers and has not been independently verified through a comprehensive official casualty register.
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