The Senate has condemned the unlawful encroachment and arrest of Nigerians by the authorities of the Republic of Benin. This stance by the upper chamber followed a motion by Senator Tolu Odebiyi during the plenary on Tuesday.
The lawmaker drew the attention of lawmakers to reports of encroachments into Nigeria’s territory by authorities of the Republic of Benin.
He quoted a report from Channels Television dated July 2nd, 2021 where it was reported that gendarmes from the Republic of Benin crossed illegally into Nigeria to arrest one Pastor Kunle Garb and Benjamin Amosu his interpreter who are residents of Igbokofi village in Yewa North Local Government Area of Ogun State for demanding the reversal of the land encryption by the government of the Republic of Benin.
Odebiyi noted that the arrest of these Nigerians is based on the allegation that they are resisting encroachment into Nigerian land through Igbokofi village in Yewa North LGA of Ogun State. The Senate consequently asked its committees on Foreign Affairs and Justice to engage with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Justice, and National border commission to investigate the incident and find solutions to the problem.
