Why I canvassed for a military base in Kwande -Senator Udende

THE chairman, Senate Committee on Anti-Corruption, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Senator Emmanuel Udende has said an immediate establishment of a military base in Kwande Local Government Area of BenueBenue will resist incessant attacks by herdsmen on the communities and help the people return to their ancestral homes.

Communities within Kwande Local Governement Area of the state have come under heavy attacks that have led to lost of lives ,destruction of properties and displacement of people with increased intensity in recent times .

This development has forced many into Internally Displaced Camps across and triggered hunger in across a state known for massive food production in the country .

Senator Udende who commended his colleagues for approving his motion to cause the establishment of the base said the people of Imande Dura/Imande Ukusu needs to be protected against the sustained attacks through security presence that enable displaced communities such as Yoon, Ugbe, and Injoov to safely return to their ancestral homes in Kwande Local Government Area, Benue State.

The Federal lawmaker had in his motion of urgent public importance, titled ‘Motion on the recent wave of deadly attacks on Abande, Anwase, Mbaav, Mbaikyôr, Mbachoon, and other communities in Kwande Local Government Area of Benue State,’ called on the Federal Government to immediately direct the relevant security agencies to intensify surveillance, patrols, and coordinated security operations.

In a unanimous resolution ,the Senate called on all telecommunications service providers to consider installing masts in the affected areas to improve communication and enable timely distress calls.

Senate also urged the Inspector General of Police to deploy additional mobile police personnel to Abande, Imande Avur, and surrounding communities to strengthen security presence in the affected areas as well as
the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) and relevant humanitarian organizations to provide immediate relief materials and support to the affected families, including assistance to enable them to bury their loved ones.

Senator Udende representing Benue North East on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in a statement sighed by his media Adviser ,Jerry Iorngaem recalled that: “on Tuesday, February 2026, at about 14:00 hours, Fulani herdsmen attacked Abande community in Nyiev District, kìllìn several residents and injured many, leaving families in deep grief.”

He said another attack occurred on February 5, 2026, at Anwase settlement, where assailants invaded the community in a manner that resulted in further loss of lives, injuries, and properties worth millions destroyed.

“The Senator condemned in totality the unabated loss of lìves, numbering 50, and leaving several others missing. The Senator is disturbed that while the affected communities were still mourning the victims of the February attacks, another occurred in March 2026, in other parts of Kwande Local Government Area, thereby worsening the humanitarian situation in the area.

He said the lawmaker informed the Senate that, “on March 3, 2026, while residents were asleep, armed bandìts invaded Mbaav Community in Turan District, where eleven persons were feared dead.

“On March 5, 2026, another attack occurred in Mbachoon Community in Mbaikyor Turan District, where eleven additional persons lost their lives.”

overwhelmed by the degree of attacks the former President of the Senate, Ahmed Lawan, condemned the continued attacks on farmers and appreciated President Bola Tinubu for increasing funds for security and urged personnel of relevant agencies to double their efforts.

The Senate Minority Leader, Senator Patrick Abba Moro, and the Deputy President of the Senate, Barau Jibril also commiserated with Senator Udende and the people of Kwande on the escalating attacks on Benue North East.