The Benue State House of Assembly has called on Governor Hyacinth Alia to constitute a judicial commission of inquiry to investigate recurring cases of police brutality and extra-judicial killings within the state.
The resolution was reached on Thursday during plenary, presided over by Speaker Alfred Emberga, following a motion of urgent public importance moved by Douglas Akya, representing Makurdi South constituency.
Akya, while raising the motion, lamented the rising trend of unlawful killings, citing the recent death of a cybercrime suspect, Fanen Kpentemem, allegedly at the hands of police officers, and the shooting of mourners in Jato Aka by soldiers. He reminded colleagues that the Constitution safeguards the right to life, warning that violations erode human dignity and trust in security institutions.
Lawmakers who contributed to the debate strongly condemned the killings, stressing that unchecked impunity by security agents could deepen public distrust, weaken state authority, and potentially spark social unrest.
The Assembly, therefore, urged the Inspector General of Police to launch immediate investigations into reported incidents and prosecute any officers found culpable.
Beyond security matters, the House also directed the state Ministry of Works to commence grading of Adum road and tasked the Ministry of Water Resources and Environment to provide a lasting solution to the gully erosion affecting Ogbadibo Local Government Area.
In legislative business, two bills scaled second reading: one seeking amendments to the law establishing the Benue State College of Health Sciences and Technology, Agasha, sponsored by Alias Audu of Gwer East, and another by Ochekliye of Ohimini, proposing the establishment of state-owned skills acquisition centres across the three senatorial districts.
