The Nigerian Senate has officially classified the Onyagede–Ogobia Road in Benue State as a project of national security importance. Lawmakers have pressed the Federal Government to initiate urgent repairs and total reconstruction of the route to mitigate security risks and bolster regional connectivity.
This decision follows a recommendation from the Senate Committee on Works, which identified the road as a vital link for several states and a key factor in protecting Nigeria’s economic stability. The committee highlighted that the road’s poor state has emboldened criminal activity. Specifically, they pointed to the June 26, 2026, assassination of the Benue State Chairman of the Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria, Alhaji Ardo Risku Muhammad, and his aide, Yakubu Isah, who were ambushed by gunmen near Okudu village.
The Senate is demanding that the Federal Government expedite the project through immediate funding and infrastructure programs. Officials also stipulated that the construction must include proper drainage and erosion mitigation to ensure the road’s long-term viability. Furthermore, the Senate proposed that the government rehabilitate two additional feeder roads in every state and the FCT to encourage nationwide economic growth.
Senate President Godswill Akpabio noted that superior road networks are essential for agricultural productivity and public safety. He directed that these resolutions be communicated to the Minister of Works and legislative appropriations committees to secure more funding for the Federal Roads Maintenance Agency. During the session, Senator Adams Oshiomhole also drew attention to the decay of major highways connecting Benin City, Asaba, Auchi, and Okene, urging the government to adopt a more equitable approach to distributing infrastructure projects across the country.
