Senate mourns Uromi, Gombe killings, plans security summit

The Senate was steeped in grief on Tuesday as lawmakers observed a solemn minute of silence for victims of two recent tragedies that shook the nation — the killing of 16 hunters in Uromi, Edo State, and the crushing to death of Easter worshippers in Gombe.

The Uromi victims, all from the North and returning to Kano, were mistakenly identified as bandits by local vigilantes and security forces. In what senators described as a “gruesome and regrettable case of mistaken identity,” the hunters were reportedly ambushed and executed without verification.

Barely a month later, another tragedy unfolded in Gombe State, where a truck rammed into a peaceful Easter procession of Christian worshippers, killing at least six people. Early police reports suggest the act may have been deliberate — a chilling development that has sparked public outrage and demands for justice.

Deeply moved by the double tragedy and ongoing violence in states like Benue and Plateau, the Senate condemned the killings in strong terms and called for immediate compensation to the victims’ families.

“We must not normalize this level of carnage,” a visibly emotional Senator said during plenary. “These were innocent lives—hunted down in error and in hatred.”

In response to the worsening security situation nationwide, the Senate also resolved to convene a two-day National Security Summit in Abuja. Though past summits under previous assemblies have yielded little impact, the current Senate insists this gathering will draw up actionable strategies, with the involvement of top security officials, state governors, and traditional rulers.

Senator Jimoh Ibrahim (APC, Ondo South), who proposed the motion, warned that criminals now understand military language and tactics, making it urgent for Nigeria to rethink its security architecture.

While a few lawmakers, including Senators Abaribe and Aliero, cautioned against repeating past efforts with no results, the Senate overwhelmingly agreed that the time to act is now.

As the nation continues to reel from the weight of senseless bloodshed, the red chamber’s sombre mood reflected a deeper national pain—and a desperate hope for solutions that go beyond rhetoric.

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