The Speaker of the Cross River State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Elvert Ayambem, has raised alarm over the escalating security crisis in Benue State, warning that the violence could spill over into neighbouring Cross River.
Speaking on the floor of the Assembly chambers yesterday, the Speaker called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to take proactive and decisive steps to end the killings and insurgency in Benue. This came as the House observed a minute of silence in honour of over 200 villagers recently massacred by insurgents in a Benue community.
Ayambem condemned the rising wave of insecurity across the country, particularly in Benue, Niger, and other states, describing the continuous loss of innocent lives as intolerable. He called for an immediate strengthening of security across all borderline communities to prevent possible incursions into Cross River.
“The mayhem in Benue and nearby Niger State has become intolerable. The killings in Benue State must be stopped, and the perpetrators brought to book. This must be done swiftly to protect our people living in neighbouring areas,” he stated.
The Speaker expressed sympathy with the government and people of Benue State, while reiterating his call for the swift establishment of state police. He stressed that the continued delay in actualizing state policing has left local communities vulnerable to unchecked violence.
“With state police, the infiltration of strange elements into our communities can be identified, reported, and neutralized in time,” he said. “Every Nigerian life must be treated equally. No one Nigerian is more Nigerian than the other.”
Matthew Okache
Chief Press Secretary to the Speaker
18/06/2025
