Hon. Blessing Onuh, the representative for Otukpo-Ohimini Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, has made a passionate appeal to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the rising wave of killings in Otukpo, Benue State.
The lawmaker, deeply concerned by the alarming security situation in her constituency, is urgently calling on the federal government to take decisive action to end the violence and restore peace to the area.In a statement released today, Hon. Onuh condemned the recent surge in violent attacks, which have left several citizens dead, with many others injured and displaced. The lawmaker expressed her outrage at the senseless killings and the deepening sense of insecurity that is gripping Otukpo and its surrounding communities.
Hon. Onuh, who represents a district that has been significantly affected by the crisis, stated that the people of Otukpo are living in constant fear, unable to go about their daily lives without the threat of violence hanging over them. She described the situation as untenable and urged President Tinubu to intervene urgently to protect the lives and property of the citizens in her constituency.
"The people of Otukpo are no longer safe in their homes, in their villages, or even on their farms. The spate of killings is getting worse by the day, and we are now at a point where we fear that the situation may spiral completely out of control," Onuh said.
The lawmaker emphasized that while state and local security forces have made efforts, the situation requires federal intervention to effectively address the persistent attacks. She specifically called for the deployment of additional security personnel to the region, as well as enhanced intelligence gathering and rapid response mechanisms.
"We need a robust federal response to bring an end to this bloodshed," she stated. "Otukpo, Benue, and the entire middle-belt region have endured years of violence, and it is time for the federal government to step in with the full weight of its resources to protect innocent lives."
Beyond the human cost, Onuh pointed out the grave economic and educational consequences of the persistent insecurity. Farming communities in Otukpo have been severely disrupted, and students are unable to attend school due to the fear of attacks by armed assailants. Local businesses are also suffering from the violence, with many people unable to operate their businesses in peace.
"The economic impact of these attacks is devastating. The people of Otukpo are losing their livelihoods, children are unable to go to school, and the local economy is grinding to a halt," Onuh explained. "This violence is not only a tragedy for the families affected, but it is also undermining the future of our community."
Onuh also called for justice for the victims of the killings, demanding that those responsible for the attacks be apprehended and brought to justice. She urged the federal government to work closely with state authorities to ensure that perpetrators of violence are held accountable, and that measures are put in place to prevent further bloodshed.
"I urge President Tinubu to prioritize the safety and security of the people of Otukpo. This is a matter of life and death, and we cannot afford to allow this violence to continue unchecked," Onuh concluded.
Hon. Blessing Onuh's appeal to President Tinubu comes at a time when insecurity in Otukpo and other parts of Benue State has reached a crisis point. As the lawmaker calls for urgent federal action, the people of Otukpo remain hopeful that the government will take swift and decisive steps to restore peace and security to their community. The situation remains dire, and the need for intervention has never been more urgent.
Stay tuned for updates on this developing story.
