Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Elvert Ayambem, has raised alarm over the growing insecurity in neighbouring Benue State, warning that the violence could easily spread into Cross River if urgent action is not taken.
Speaking during a session in the Assembly chambers, Ayambem expressed deep concern over the recent massacre of over 200 villagers in Benue, calling it a tragedy that demands immediate and decisive response from the federal government.
During the session, lawmakers observed a minute’s silence in honour of the victims who were brutally burnt to death by insurgents.
The Speaker used the solemn moment to urge President Bola Tinubu to take stronger steps to end the killings and bring those responsible to justice.
He spoke on the importance of reinforcing security in communities that share borders with Benue to prevent a spillover of the violence into Cross River.
Ayambem also condemned the general state of insecurity across Nigeria, particularly in Benue and Niger states, describing the continued bloodshed as “intolerable.”
He appealed to President Tinubu, who is scheduled to visit Benue tomorrow, to make the most of his visit by announcing concrete and immediate measures to tackle the crisis.
Reiterating his call for the creation of state police, Ayambem said such a move would help local communities detect and neutralize threats early.
He added that with state-controlled security forces, strange or suspicious elements could be identified and dealt with before they cause harm.
The Speaker concluded by stressing that all Nigerian lives are equally important, adding, “No one Nigerian is more Nigerian than the other.”
He urged the federal government not to delay any further in taking the steps needed to protect the lives and property of its citizens.
