..Calls for Permanent Military Base in Gwer-West, Benue

By Henry Umoru

ABUJA — Concerned by the rising insecurity, banditry, and kidnappings across the country, the Senate has once again summoned all security chiefs to appear before it next week.

Those summoned include: Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, Chief of Army Staff, General Olufemi Oluyede, Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Emmanuel Ogalla, Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Hasan Abubakar,  Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, Director General of National Intelligence Agency (NIA), Mohammed Mohammed, Director General of Department of State Services (DSS), Adeola Ajayi, and National Security Adviser (NSA), Nuhu Ribadu.

According to Senate President Godswill Akpabio, the service chiefs were initially invited but could not attend due to scheduling conflicts. The rescheduled meeting next week aims to deliberate on critical security issues and propose urgent solutions.

The Senate has also raised serious concerns over allegations that certain international agencies may be financing Boko Haram insurgency.

On February 19, 2025, security chiefs were summoned to explain allegations that the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) was linked to funding Boko Haram and other terrorist groups in Nigeria. The upcoming meeting will assess these claims, address Nigeria’s broader security challenges, and shape policy responses.

Amid escalating violence in Benue State, the Senate has called on the Federal Government to establish a permanent military base in Gwer-West Local Government Area. This move is expected to curb persistent attacks and restore peace in the region.

The resolution followed a motion titled: “Urgent Need for the Federal Government to Deploy Troops to Immediately Restore Law and Order in Gwer-West Local Government of Benue State.”

The motion was sponsored by Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West).

The Senate also urged security agencies to:

Restore law and order in Gwer-West and other affected areas

Enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition and Ranches Establishment Law in Benue

Deploy National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs to provide relief materials to affected communities

Violence and Protests in Gwer-West

Presenting his motion, Senator Zam narrated how the Gyaruwa community in Gwer-West was invaded by armed bandits posing as herders on March 10, 2025, leading to four deaths.

Following the attack, frustrated youths took to the streets in protest, accusing the government of failing to protect them. The protests turned violent, resulting in:

The burning down of the Gwer-West local government secretariat

The destruction of the paramount ruler’s palace

Attacks on private residences, including Senator Zam’s home

Legislative Action on Open Grazing Prohibition

Senator Zam expressed frustration over the Benue State government’s failure to enforce the Open Grazing Prohibition Law, noting that this has emboldened bandits and worsened insecurity.

He warned that continued attacks in Gwer-West would have devastating effects on food production and agriculture, jeopardizing food security and the livelihoods of the people.

The Senate observed a minute of silence in honor of the victims of the attacks.