By Peter Duru, Makurdi

The lawmaker representing Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency in the National Assembly, Terseer Ugbor has urged the Federal and Benue State Governments to set up a Commission of Inquiry to investigate and proffer lasting solution to the attacks and killings in Turan/Ikyurav-Ya axis of Kwande Local Government Area and other parts of the state.

The lawmaker who condemned the tragic attacks in his constituency where about 20 persons were killed on Christmas Day which was following by further attacks and the razing of several homes by the marauders, lamented that countless persons have been sacked from their communities in that part of the state by the invaders.

In a statement by Fred Dagu, his Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ugbor lamented the frequency of the attacks in his constituency and the impact on the lives and livelihoods of the victims.

Part of the state read, “House of Representatives member for Kwande/Ushongo Federal Constituency, Terseer Ugbor, has expressed total condemnation of the tragic killings in Benue State, particularly the increasing insecurity in the Turan/Ikyurav-Ya axis of his Constituency and urged the Federal and State Governments to set-up a Commission of Inquiry to thoroughly investigate and proffer lasting solutions to the ongoing attacks of local communities in the State.

“Ugbor bemoaned the frequency of the attacks, which has contributed to the growing displaced people in the state, resulting in higher poverty index and poor quality of life of the people.

“He pointed out the detrimental impact on agriculture, the primary means of sustenance for these communities, which has led to unprecedented hardship among the affected populace and contributed to food shortages in Nigeria.

“He stated that he visited the affected communities during the yuletide break to assess the situation and deliver relief palliatives, and from the information gathered, he emphasized that the attacks appeared to be increasingly systematic and have escalated, creating an urgent need for immediate action, otherwise, Turan/Ikyurav-Ya risks being entirely displaced from its ancestral lands.

“He expressed his deep sorrow and extended his condolences to those who have suffered losses and implored the State and Local Governments to intensify their efforts to resist the invaders.”

The lawmaker pledged “to exert every effort within his power as a legislator to ensure that peace and normalcy returned to every part of his constituency. He reiterated that the Federal and State Governments must fulfill their primary obligation to protect the lives and property of the people who have overwhelmingly entrusted them with the mandate to govern.

“He thanked the Inspector General of Police for approving a new border patrol unit in Kwande and reassured that he was making arrangements to activate the unit as a layer of security for the border communities.”