The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Abba Moro, has drawn attention to the worsening insecurity in Benue South Senatorial District, following the killing of a public health worker, Ojama Emie, in a suspected armed herdsmen attack in Apa Local Government Area.
Attack Details
Raising the matter under Order 42 (Personal Explanation) on the floor of the Senate, Moro said Emie was ambushed and killed on Monday, June 8, 2026, at the Ugbobi Road Junction along the Ikobi–Ugbokpo axis, a route he described as increasingly unsafe for commuters and rural dwellers. The senator disclosed that the victim was allegedly beheaded by his attackers, who fled the scene with his severed head, leaving the community in shock and deep fear.
Pattern of Violence
Moro lamented that the attack was part of a disturbing pattern of violence spreading across Benue South, affecting communities in Apa, Agatu, Otukpo, Ohimini, and Ogbadibo Local Government Areas, where residents have repeatedly reported attacks, displacement, and insecurity on farmlands and roads. He listed several affected communities including Ikobi, Ojantiele–Akwete, Ankpali–Edikwu (Apa); Okokolo, Aila, Ogbaulu, Odugbeho (Agatu); and Ugbamaju, Emichi, Otobi, Akpa (Otukpo), describing the region as being effectively under siege.
The Minority Leader expressed concern over what he described as the weak preventive security presence in rural areas, noting that while federal security agencies respond to incidents, communities remain exposed due to limited proactive deployment. He also criticised the state of local security arrangements, arguing that community-based security outfits lack adequate funding and operational capacity to confront armed groups.
Detention of Youth Leader
Moro further drew attention to the continued detention of Oloche Silas, a youth leader in Agatu who has been held for over a year on allegations of illegal possession of firearms. He said the detention has weakened community-level security coordination amid ongoing attacks. He urged the Senate leadership and relevant federal authorities to urgently intervene in the escalating violence in Benue South and review cases involving community security actors, stressing the need for a balanced approach that protects both citizens and lawful security efforts.
The Senate is expected to further deliberate on the security situation in affected areas in subsequent sittings.
