ABUJA – The Senate on Tuesday declared that it was tired of the continued senseless killings in parts of the country, particularly in Benue State. Spokesman of the Red Chamber, Senator Yemi Adaramodu, briefing newsmen at the National Assembly, said the House was “tired of the killings and mournings. The time to act is now. Security is local and locals must be part of the solution.” “About the tragic incident in Benue: it was very unfortunate. We sympathize with the victims and families affected. “The Senate, in collaboration with the executive, will visit Benue tomorrow with a delegation of Senators to commiserate.” He urged for collective and concrete action to stem the tide of killings across the country. Adaramodu said, “More importantly, we are organizing a national security summit, not just for the military, but for CSOs, media, women, youth, and other critical stakeholders because enough is enough. We cannot keep going from Plateau to Benue, paying condolence visits. “We are tired of the killings and mornings. The time has come to act. Security is local, and locals must be part of the solution. “With Mr. President’s support, the Senate and the House have appropriated adequate funds to support the military and security agencies. Together with traditional rulers and communities, we must put a stop to this bloodshed. “We are tired of the killings and mournings. “We cannot keep going from Plateau to Benue, paying condolence visits. The time has come to act.” “To this end, the Senate announced plans to convene a National Security Summit, a multi-stakeholder gathering that will bring together not only military and law enforcement agencies but also civil society organisations, the media, women, youth groups, traditional rulers, and local communities. Security is local, and locals must be part of the solution. With Mr. President’s support, the Senate and the House have appropriated adequate funds to support the military and security agencies.” He also revealed that the Senators would join President Bola Tinubu’s entourage, Wednesday, to the state for an on the spot assessment of the situation. Tinubu had abandoned a scheduled visit to Kaduna for an urgent touchdown to Benue. Recall, the latest massacre happened on June 12 where over 200 people were said to have been killed, and settlements sacked. Senator Adaramodu further added “Together with traditional rulers and communities we must put a stop to this bloodshed.” On the planned security summit, the Senate Spokesman said the summit will be an opportunity to clinically diagnose the root causes of insecurity in the country, and to forge better approaches to addressing the problem. According to him, the summit will not be another “talk shop.” “When we hold the national security summit, we hope to uncover hidden problems and find lasting solutions to the killings of innocent Nigerians,” says Adaramodu.
