The House of Representatives on Tuesday urged the Federal Government summoned all Service Chief and agreed to institute a Presidential Task Force to commence immediate disarmament of armed herdsmen in Benue and other parts of the country.
The House also resolved to set up an Ad-hoc Committee to examine measures taken by security agencies in the country to curb the crises.
The resolutions followed the adoption of a motion sponsored by Rep. Emmanuel Orker-Jev (Benue-APC) and 10 others.
Moving the motion, Orker-Jev condemned the invasion of communities in Buruku local government area of Benue by armed and strange herdsmen on March 9, 2017.
According to him, the herdsmen destroyed farms, plundered yam barns and looted houses deserted by innocent and armless villagers.
Orker-Jev further explained that the invading herdsmen became violent and destructive, created fear and tension which forced residents of most communities in Binev council ward to flee their homes.
He said the marauding herdsmen attacked and killed anybody they encountered around the communities of Ber Awuna, Dogo, Ortese – Mbashian, Tse Igyu, Tse Gebe, Anbighir, Tse Iwa, Gbaikyo, Agudu, Nyorum, Shonto and Abuku communities.
"These violent attacks continued unabated without any intervention from any security agency throughout Saturday and 20 people were reported killed by these armed herdsmen, out of which 10 bodies have so far been recovered and deposited at the local government.
"These strange herdsmen who are heavily armed with sophisticated weapons, seem to be operating or supported by a killer squad of mercenaries," he added.
The lawmaker, who emphasised that the attacks had become a perennial occurrence, advocated the arrest of the perpetrators in order to restore security in the state.
Also speaking to press men after plenary, Oker Jev enjoined the Benue state government to do more in protecting the people despite the efforts been implored to quash the menace caused by the herdsmen.
Accorsing to him, "I do not think the best has been done by the Benue state government. I also don't want the Benue people to be pushed to defending themselves", he warned.
When asked his opinion on the ceding of Agatu people's land to funlani herdsmen by the state Governor, Emmunuel Ortom in a recent peace initiative he had this to say;
"I can not speak on that matter now because I am waiting to speak with the Governor to hear his own side of the story before I jump into conclusion".
Contributing, Rep. Adamu Entonu (Benue-PDP) urged the Federal Government to brand the herdsmen terrorists and treat them as such.
"It is very annoying that since the attacks started, no one has been arrested," Entonu said.
Rep. Baballe Bashir (Kano-APC) said that the herdsmen attacks started over 20 years ago.
"Nigeria has herdsmen from different tribes and tackling the issue is the concern of every Nigerian.
"Unfortunately it is a systemic failure on the previous governments for inability to curb the menace," Bashir said.
Rep. Herman Hembe (Benue-APC) said "government has not shown willingness to address the issue.
"Ordinarily our communities would have accommodated them, but the damage they cause brings to question what their intentions are.
"That is not how we ought to move as a nation; we need to take concious decisions towards addressing the issue," Hembe added
The House, therefore urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to send food and other relief materials to the affected communities.
Ruling on the matter, the Deputy Speaker who presided over the plenary session referred the motion to the Committee on Special Duties.
The Committee is to report back to the House in two weeks.
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