Yemi Adedeji, Abuja
Yakubu Dogara, Speaker of the House of Representatives has expressed grave concern over the heinous and wanton killing of innocent people, especially women and children in Logo and Guma local governments areas of Benue State.
Dogara called for the overhaul of the country’s internal security architecture, stressing that no reason whatsoever, can be enough justification for such dastardly act.
“These killings coming shortly after the whole world was outraged by similar killings in Agatu in same Benue State and another in Rivers State, is a clear indication that it is high time all the security apparatuses of the country are mobilsed to put a stop to this mindless killings. Enough is enough, “Dogara said in a statement by Turaki Hassan, his Special Adviser to the Speaker on Media & Public Affairs.
He said it was very worrisome that at a time government was taking every step to tame the security challenges in the country, there seemed to be a steady deterioration of security of lives and properties all over the country.
“This is totally unacceptable and the legislature is determined to hold all authorities vested with the protection of lives and properties accountable,”
“There is need for overhaul of Nigeria’s internal security architecture that will check the prevailing mass murders, killings and kidnappings, assuring that the legislature will give the Executive full backing in that regard,” he added
While commiserating with the people and government of Benue, Kaduna and Rivers states at this most trying moments, Dogara assured Nigerians that the legislature will not allow the lives of the victims go in vain.
The Speaker therefore called on President Muhammadu Buhari to immediately deploy adequate security personnel to the hotspots in order to halt further killings.
It will be recalled that a traditional ruler in Kaduna State was recently killed by same “unknown gunmen”.
The killing of the second class chief came few days after several people were also killed during a Christmas carol in Jema’a local government of the state.