By Ayo Ayodele
The Nigerian Senate has expressed deep frustration over recurring mass killings in parts of the country, particularly the recent attack in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area of Benue State, where about 200 villagers were reportedly killed on June 13.
Speaking to journalists in Abuja, Senate spokesperson and Chairman of the Committee on Media and Public Affairs, Senator Yemi Adaramodu (APC, Ekiti South), said Nigerians are “tired of mourning” and that decisive action must now be taken. He emphasized that security solutions must involve local communities and traditional leaders.
Senator Adaramodu announced that President Bola Tinubu and a delegation from the National Assembly will visit Benue State on Wednesday to assess the situation and show solidarity. He said the visit would underline the government’s commitment to addressing the violence.
He also revealed plans for a national security summit that will include the military, civil society groups, media, youth, and other stakeholders. “We cannot continue moving from one state to another offering condolences. The time has come to act,” he stated.
On the recent endorsement of a state of emergency in Rivers State, Adaramodu clarified that the decision followed Senate Standing Orders, which mandate closed-door sessions for security matters. “Once a resolution is reached in such sessions, it cannot be reopened in plenary,” he explained.
Addressing public concerns about Senate attendance and effectiveness, Adaramodu said the Senate is constitutionally required to sit for 181 days annually and has exceeded that. He also highlighted ongoing legislative duties outside plenary, such as committee work and oversight functions.
Regarding legislative productivity, Adaramodu reported that in the past 24 months, the Senate received 844 bills, with 25 passed into law and hundreds progressing through various stages. He described the legislative process as thorough, especially for sensitive bills like the national budget.
He also addressed the Senate’s role in investigative probes, noting that while lawmakers can recommend actions, enforcement lies with executive agencies. Some investigations, he said, end once their goals are achieved, even without dramatic public outcomes.
On economic matters, he pointed out that several issues under probe, including hidden debts, stem from the previous administration. He assured the public that the current government is taking corrective measures, including reducing controversial allocations.