The Benue State House of Assembly on Monday condemned the abduction and killing of a traditional ruler in Katsina-Ala Local Government Area and urged security agencies to intensify efforts to apprehend those responsible for the crime.

The resolution followed a motion moved by Mr. Bemdoo Ipusu, representing Katsina-Ala, who drew the attention of the House to the killing of the Kindred Head of Mbajiir in Tongov, Chief Sughter Agamber, by suspected gunmen.

Ipusu told lawmakers that the 10th Assembly had in the past two and a half years repeatedly deliberated on motions relating to insecurity across Benue State, particularly in Katsina-Ala and surrounding communities.

According to the lawmaker, the traditional ruler was abducted on Friday by unknown gunmen at Kam Village in Tongov, Katsina-Ala LGA.

He explained that local authorities, including the Tor Sankera, the Ter Katsina-Ala, and the chairmen of Katsina-Ala and Ukum local governments, made frantic efforts to secure the victim’s release after receiving reports of the incident.

However, Ipusu said the lifeless body of the traditional ruler was discovered in a nearby bush on Saturday morning, confirming that his abductors had killed him.

The lawmaker expressed concern that the killing of a kindred head signalled a dangerous escalation in the security situation in the area.

He described the attack as an assault on the traditional institution, noting that criminal elements had moved from targeting ordinary citizens to abducting and killing traditional rulers.

Ipusu further informed the House that residents of Kam community had begun fleeing the area for fear of further attacks, leaving the village largely deserted.

He warned that the continued killings could turn villages into graveyards if urgent action was not taken to address the deteriorating security situation.

Seconding the motion, Mr. Michael Audu called on security agencies to intensify operations to tackle the wave of insecurity affecting communities in the state.

Also contributing, Mr. Simon Gabo urged security operatives to step up efforts to rescue other kidnapped victims and restore peace in the affected areas.

He further recommended that Operation Zenda establish an additional checkpoint along the Ugbema–Ikov–Jato Aka axis to improve surveillance.

In his remarks, Dr. Abraham Jabi called on the Benue State Government to revive local vigilante groups through traditional rulers to support security agencies in combating crime.

The Speaker of the House, Alfred Emberga, directed the House Committee on Security and Chieftaincy Affairs to interface with Operation Zenda and the Bureau of Homeland Security and report back to the Assembly on March 17 during an executive session.

Emberga also urged the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to collaborate in tracking down and prosecuting those responsible for the killing.

He further called on Operation Zenda to mount a checkpoint and conduct regular patrols around Kam community, located along the boundary between Ukum, Logo and Tongov districts in Katsina-Ala LGA.