The Benue House of Assembly has called for an urgent investigation of a violent attack on Avande community in Mbanyagber Council Ward of Tarka Local Government Area of the state.
The call followed a motion of urgent public importance moved by Manger Manger (APC/Tarka) during plenary on Tuesday in Makurdi.
The lawmaker decried the recurring incidents of violent attacks on communities across Benue, noting that several motions had previously been moved to draw the government’s attention to the persistent insecurity affecting residents.
He informed the house that on the night preceding Wednesday, about 50 armed men reportedly invaded the community, shooting sporadically and forcing residents to flee.
According to him, the attackers also removed doors from houses and destroyed stored food items and other valuables during the raid.
He disclosed that no fatalities were recorded, but several residents sustained injuries in the attack.
He added that the community had since been deserted, with survivors seeking refuge in Wannune.
Manger expressed concern that the incident could disrupt the farming season in the area, as residents had abandoned their homes and farmlands at a critical period of agricultural activities.
He warned that the development posed serious economic consequences for affected families and the wider community.
Mr Abu Edor (PDP/Agatu), who seconded the motion, also decried the alarming rate of herdsmen attacks in the state.
Ruling, the Speaker, Mr Alfred Emberga, strongly condemned the attack, describing it as unprovoked and unacceptable.
The speaker urged the state government to launch a thorough investigation into the incident with a view to preventing future occurrences.
He called on the Benue State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA) to provide immediate relief materials to displaced residents pending the restoration of normalcy in the affected community.