Senator Isah Jibrin disclosed that the attack claimed over 21 lives and properties in Omala.
Given the deteriorating security situation in the country, the Nigerian Senate had resolved to set up an Ad-hoc committee to conduct a national summit to tackle the issues of herdsmen attacks.
This is as it urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and Humanitarian Affairs to provide relief materials to the affected communities.
This resolution followed a motion of urgent national importance raised by Senator Isah Jibrin (APC, Kogi East) during Tuesday’s plenary on the urgent need for rehabilitation of Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana Communities in Omala LGA of Kogi State affected by gunmen attacks and killings.
Presenting his motion, Senator Jibrin noted that Omala LGA has been under recurring attacks by gunmen, leading to killings and destruction of properties and farmlands, thereby rendering many homeless with no means of sustenance.
He expressed concern over the attacks in Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji, and Bagana communities leading to over 30,000 inhabitants of the communities rendered homeless.
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According to him, the attack claimed over 21 lives and properties in Omala.
He said, “On 5th April 2024, armed herders invaded Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana communities, killing 21 innocent citizens, including women and children, in addition to unprecedented destruction of their farm produce.
“On 30th April 2024, gunmen attacked Ajokpachi Odo community in Omala LGA, killing no fewer than three persons and rendering the entire community desolate, with no health facility to cater for the deteriorating health conditions of the survivors.
“The attacks on these communities in Omala LGA have resulted in the killing of over 500 citizens, in addition to wanton destruction of public and private properties worth hundreds of millions of naira.
“After much persuasion, the displaced persons have resolved to return to their ancestral homes, but cannot afford shelters and have no means of sustenance,” he added.
The lawmaker also expressed concern over the destroyed educational institutions in the community, with many buildings and other facilities completely burnt down.
According to him, “This will make it difficult for the children of the affected communities to access educational facilities.”
In his contributions, Senator Titus Zam (APC, Benue North-West) called for a law against open grazing to put an end to the killing of farmers by herdsmen.
He said, “The only thing we haven’t done is to have a law prohibiting open grazing. Once that law is not there, everybody becomes free to carry guns, which they now use to terrorise people in this country.
“Open grazing prohibiting law must be enacted in this Senate.”
Senator Musa Garba Maidoki (PDP, Kebbi South) lamented over the inefficiency of the Army saying, “My governor was telling me that every month he spent 600 million on the army.
“If the army is waiting for the governor to mobilise them, then I think we are not making any progress.”
On his part, Senator Ahmad Lawan (APC, Yobe North) called on the Governors of each state to take responsibility and ensure to provide for the lives of those affected.
In honour of the deceased, the Senate observed a minute of silence for the departed souls in Omala LGA of Kogi State.
The President of the Senate, Godswill Akpabio in his remark, urged the Ad-hoc committee set up by the Senate to conduct a national summit, which will consist of one person from each geo-political zone to look into the issue holistically.
