The House of Representatives has urged the Federal Government to swiftly provide relief materials and medical support to survivors and displaced families following the deadly attack on Yelwata community in Guma Local Government Area of Benue State.
The appeal was made during plenary on Wednesday, June 25, after lawmakers adopted a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Hon. Dickson Tarkighir, who represents the Makurdi/Guma Federal Constituency.
According to Tarkighir, the attack, which occurred on June 14, claimed the lives of over 200 people and left thousands displaced, compounding an already dire humanitarian crisis in the region.
“The scale of destruction is overwhelming. Beyond the tragic loss of lives, entire families have been displaced, homes destroyed, and livelihoods wiped out,” the lawmaker said during the session. “This House must not remain silent while our communities suffer repeated violence.”
He further noted that attacks of this nature have become disturbingly frequent in Benue State and beyond, heightening fear and insecurity among residents.
“The time has come for coordinated and decisive action. Any delay in providing support could worsen the crisis and make recovery even harder for these communities,” he added.
The House subsequently called on the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), the Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development, and other relevant agencies to urgently deliver relief supplies, including food, shelter, and healthcare to those affected.
In a broader move to address the root causes of such violence, the lawmakers also resolved to set up an ad-hoc committee to investigate violent attacks across Benue State in the past 15 years and make recommendations to prevent future occurrences.
Additionally, the Committee on Interior and Security has been directed to visit Yelwata and surrounding communities to assess the current situation and report back with actionable recommendations.
The House also called on the Federal Government and security agencies to intensify peace-building efforts in Guma and ensure better protection for vulnerable communities. As a long-term security measure, the lawmakers demanded the establishment of a Forward Operating Base (FOB) for the Nigerian Army in Yelwata.
Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, who presided over the plenary, put the motion to a voice vote, which received unanimous approval from members.
