Speakers decry pervasive killings, demand urgent action
The lawmaker representing Benue South Senatorial District, Abba Moro, has deplored the killings in his home state.
   
He believes that those charged with the responsibility of securing the people are not doing much. 
 
Moro pointedly accused the security agents in the state of extorting the people, while criminals go on a rampage.
   
He equally accused President Bola Tinubu of ignoring the Senate’s several recommendations on insecurity.
   
Moro bared his mind while speaking as a guest of “Democracy Today,” a production of the African Independent Television (AIT), yesterday.
 
His words: “There’s no Benue person with a conscience today that would say he or she is not bothered by the resurgence of killings across the state. We are tired of burying our slain citizens. These killings need to stop.
 
“It gladdens my heart that the governor has finally spoken up. He condemned the recent killings. He has been silent, and his silence has not been golden. One hopes he goes beyond the condemnation and makes promises. These are not enough.”

ALSO, Speakers of State Legislatures have strongly condemned the recent upsurge in attacks and killings in various parts of the country.
  
In a statement yesterday by their Chairman, Adebo Ogundoyin, they expressed deep concern over the tragic loss of lives, mass displacements, and emotional trauma inflicted on citizens by the escalating violence.
  
Ogundoyin, who is the Speaker of the Oyo State House of Assembly, said the conference is alarmed by the frequency and brutality of the incidents, and the apparent inability to curtail the bloodshed. 
  
He stressed that the era of rhetorical condemnations was over, noting that what the country urgently needed was decisive, coordinated action from all tiers of government.
  
While acknowledging that matters of defence and national security fall within the purview of the Federal Government, Ogundoyin emphasised that all levels of government must take responsibility for protecting the lives and welfare of Nigerians.
  
He urged state governors to rise to the challenge, reminding them that governance extends beyond infrastructure and ceremonial appearances. 
 
The chairman called for the enactment and enforcement of laws that promote community policing and other grassroots-oriented security strategies.
  
The conference also encouraged states to develop proactive frameworks that integrate local intelligence, social support systems, and youth participation to combat insecurity effectively.

Ogundoyin further called on the Federal Government to meaningfully engage the citizenry and introduce bold, practical measures to cushion the hardship caused by its current economic policies, noting that millions of Nigerians are groaning under the weight of inflation, unemployment, and a cost-of-living crisis.
 
He said: “The Conference of Speakers of State Legislatures of Nigeria strongly condemns the recent wave of brutal terrorist attacks and killings across several states in the country, notably in Plateau, Borno, Benue, Niger and most recently, Kwara State.
 
“These gruesome acts have led to the tragic loss of lives, widespread displacement, and unimaginable trauma for thousands of Nigerians.
  
“We are alarmed by the escalating insecurity in the land and the seeming helplessness with which these attacks are met.
 
“The time for mere condemnation and rhetoric has passed; urgent and coordinated action is now required at all levels of government to end these bloodbaths and restore peace and order.”