***As Senate stops fresh moves to create new grazing routes for herders
The Senator Representing Kogi East, Jibrin Isah Echocho who has been bereaved following the gruesom killing of more than 500 of his constituents caused by the attacks of suspected Fulani herdsmen has taken the mind buggling incident to the senate.
He had raised a motion on a matter of urgent national importance over the recent killings carried out by herdsmen in some communities within his constituency on Tuesday
Jibrin informed his colleagues that Omala Local Government Area has been under recurring attacks by gunmen, leading to killings and destruction of properties and farmlands.
He said that the development had rendered many of his constituents, homeless with no means of sustenance.
He expressed worry that Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji, and Bagana communities had been ravaged by recent gunmen, rendering over 30,000 inhabitants of the communities homeless.
The herders action he added, had led to exodus of the inhabitants to other parts of Kogi State.
He specifically noted that on 5th April 2024, armed herders invaded Agojeju Odo, Ajokpachi Odo, Bagaji and Bagana communities, killing 21 innocent citizens, including women and children, in addition to unprecedented destruction of their farm produce.
He also said that on 30th April 2024, gunmen attacked Ajokpachi Odo community in Omala LGA, killing no fewer than three persons and rendered the entire community desolate, with no health facility to cater for the deteriorating health conditions of the survivors.
He said the attacks on the communities in Omala LGA had resulted in the killing of over 500 citizens, in addition to wanton destruction of public and private properties worth hundreds of millions of naira.The Senate on Tuesday rejected fresh moves to create new grazing routes for herders in Nigeria.
His motion received the support of his colleagues to the extent that it became a reason to proffer solution to the menace of the herders that has affected every part of the country.
Hence they rejected the attempt to reintroduce new grazing routes for the herders as the red chamber unanimously passed a resolution to set up an adhoc committee that would convoke a national summit to find lasting solutions to the constant farmers-herders clashes across the country.
The Senate observed a minute silence for the departed souls in Omala LGA of Kogi State.
It urged the Federal Ministry of Humanitarian Affairs, Disaster Management and Social Development and the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to assist the affected communities in Omala LGA of Kogi State, with relief materials and other forms of support necessary for their rehabilitation.
