By NelsonOgbu, June 25, 2025
The motion of urgent national importance was moved by Rt. Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, OON, who decried the brutal killing of residents of Yelwata community during a violent attack on June 14, 2025.
According to Tarkighir, the assault left more than 200 people dead, displaced thousands, and resulted in massive destruction of homes and property. He noted that the scale of the violence and the suffering it has caused is both "shocking and unacceptable."
"The victims were not just numbers — they were mothers, fathers, children, and community members whose lives were brutally cut short," Tarkighir stated, while urging immediate government action.
The lawmaker further expressed concern that similar attacks have continued unabated across Benue and neighboring areas, fueling fear and instability.
The House, following deliberation on the motion, resolved as follows:
1. Assessment Mission – The relevant House Committee on Interior and Security was mandated to visit Yelwata and other affected communities in Guma LGA to assess the on-ground situation and report back with actionable recommendations.
2. Humanitarian Support – The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and other relevant agencies were urged to swiftly provide relief materials, shelter, and medical aid to displaced persons.
3. Enhanced Security Measures – The House called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify efforts to restore peace and ensure the protection of lives and property in Guma and surrounding areas.
4. Human Rights Investigation – The Committee on Human Rights was directed to investigate the circumstances surrounding the massacre, with a mandate to ensure justice for the victims and their families.
5. Permanent Military Presence – In a bid to forestall further attacks, the House also called on the Federal Government to establish a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the Nigerian Army in Yelwata, given its strategic location as a border community vulnerable to repeated assaults.
Lawmakers from across party lines expressed solidarity with the people of Guma LGA and condemned the recurring wave of violence in Benue State.
Tarkighir warned that continued delay in decisive action could lead to further deterioration of security and an expanded humanitarian disaster.
The House pledged to monitor the implementation of its resolutions closely, with several members stressing that the lives of Nigerian citizens must remain a top priority for all arms of government.
