The Nigerian Senate has urged the Federal Government to establish a military base in Kwande Local Government Area to improve security and help displaced residents safely return to their communities.

Lawmakers also called on security agencies to increase surveillance and carry out coordinated patrols and operations across affected communities to prevent further attacks.

In particular, the Senate recommended setting up a military base along the Ikyurav–Ya–Ukusu corridor to ensure a consistent security presence in the troubled area.

The chamber further appealed to telecommunications companies to install communication masts in the locality so residents can make distress calls during emergencies.

It also directed the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials and humanitarian assistance to families impacted by the attacks in Kwande and other parts of Benue State.

During the session, senators observed a one-minute silence in honour of those killed in recent attacks in Abande, Awu, Asinuba, Awapacho and neighbouring communities.

The resolutions followed a motion of urgent public importance sponsored by Senator Emmanuel Udende concerning the rising attacks in communities within Kwande Local Government Area.

While presenting the motion, Udende explained that recent coordinated attacks by armed assailants in the area had resulted in the deaths of more than 20 people and forced many residents to abandon their homes.

He recalled that on February 5, 2026, gunmen stormed a settlement in the area, killing several residents, injuring others and destroying houses and other property.

According to him, about 50 people were reportedly killed during the February attacks, while a number of others are still missing.

The senator further noted that another round of violence occurred in March, worsening the humanitarian crisis in the area.

He stated that on March 10, gunmen reportedly killed about 11 people in fresh attacks, while an earlier assault on March 5 in Bachor community also caused casualties and destruction of property.

Udende told lawmakers that several of the bodies recovered after the attacks remain unidentified, while about 25 people are still unaccounted for.

He also cautioned that the arrest and harassment of local vigilantes by security operatives could weaken collaboration between community volunteers and formal security agencies.

According to him, poor road networks, limited communication infrastructure and the absence of permanent security formations continue to slow down response efforts to distress calls in the rural communities.

Seconding the motion, Senator Osita Izunaso described the security situation in Benue as a national emergency requiring swift government action.

Also speaking, Senator Ahmed Lawan emphasized the need to strengthen Nigeria’s overall security framework, stressing that security agencies must be properly funded and equipped with adequate logistics to effectively confront armed groups.