The Northern Senators Forum has condemned the recent killings in Benue and Kaduna states, describing the attacks as tragic while endorsing the Federal Government’s plan to expand the Nigerian Army to strengthen the country’s security architecture.

In a condolence message issued on Wednesday in Abuja, the forum’s Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Yar’Adua, expressed sympathy with the governments and people of the two states and called for intensified efforts to apprehend those responsible for the attacks.

The statement followed separate assaults that claimed dozens of lives and displaced several families.

In Benue State, gunmen reportedly attacked the Efeyi community in Ugboju, Otukpo Local Government Area, in the early hours of Tuesday, killing 13 people and injuring several others before security agencies were deployed to restore order.

Earlier, on Sunday, suspected attackers invaded Naridon Village in Kaduna State’s Kauru Local Government Area, killing about 30 people, including women and children, and setting several homes ablaze.

Yar’Adua said the forum stood in solidarity with families who lost loved ones in the attacks and welcomed the Federal Government’s renewed commitment to strengthening national security.

The forum noted that President Bola Tinubu had approved the expansion of the Nigerian Army from eight to 12 divisions, alongside the recruitment of 28,000 additional military personnel.

According to the senators, the initiative is expected to decentralise military command, strengthen border security and improve response times to emerging security threats across the country.

“We note that this expansion is a timely step that provides more strategic coverage and operational support across the country, and helps restore public confidence,” the statement said.

The forum, however, stressed that the planned expansion must be supported with adequate equipment, logistics and improved welfare for military personnel to ensure the new formations operate effectively.

It also urged residents to support security agencies by providing credible and timely intelligence that could help prevent future attacks.

The senators further called on the Federal Government to ensure the swift arrest and prosecution of those behind the killings, while providing adequate relief and assistance to victims and internally displaced persons.

“The Forum reiterates that lasting peace is achieved through coordinated security action, better intelligence, and sustained investment in the security architecture,” the statement added.

The latest attacks have heightened concerns over insecurity in parts of northern and central Nigeria, where communities continue to face recurring assaults by armed groups despite ongoing military operations.

The Federal Government has repeatedly pledged to strengthen the country’s security architecture through increased troop deployment, improved intelligence gathering and enhanced collaboration among security agencies.