Insecurity: Reps “invite” Benue, Zamfara Govs, State Assemblies

Amid worsening and persistent insecurity in Benue and Zamfara states, the House of Representatives Committee on Public Petitions has summoned Governors Hyacinth Alia and Dauda Lawal, along with their respective state assemblies, to appear on May 8.

This invitation follows a petition submitted by the Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law, addressing the escalating insecurity in these states.

The governors and state assemblies are required to present their justifications for why the House of Representatives should not assume their constitutional responsibilities in light of the ongoing security crisis.

The invitation was announced in a statement issued on Friday by Chooks Oko, Head of Media for the House Committee on Public Petitions.

Oko said this “is sequel to a petition written by a civil rights organisation, Guardians of Democracy and Rule of Law urging the House to take over the functions of the two Houses of Assembly.

“The summons, personally signed by Committee Chairman, Rep. Mike Etaba, noted that the invited parties were already aware of the facts of the case.

“Ours is to ensure that the rule of law is upheld at all times. The parties have a wonderful opportunity to state their cases clearly so that Nigerians can know what is going on. Anarchy would never be given any space in our polity.”

Persecondnews recalls that the two states have been grappling with heightened insecurity in recent times which has claimed scores of human lives.

On April 17 and April 18, suspected armed herders had launched a series of attacks on communities within the Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas of Benue State, resulting in the tragic deaths of at least 72 people.

In Zamfara, six operatives of the Zamfara State Community Protection Guards, popularly known as Askarawa, and four local vigilantes were killed in an ambush by bandits in Anka Local Government Area on March 22.

Also, at least 20 gold miners were gruesomely killed and several others injured in a broad daylight attack by armed bandits on the Gobirawa Chali community in Maru Local Government Area of Zamfara State on April 24.