Former Senate President and National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), David Mark, has called for quick and decisive action to end the renewed killings in Benue and Plateau states.
Reports Vanguard reports that Mark spoke today following reports of attacks in Otukpo, Benue State, which left about 16 persons dead and another nine in Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Former Senate President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Kola Ologbondiyan said perpetrators of violence must be brought to justice. Politics.
“Justice must be done for the blood of innocent Benue people. Now is the time for bold steps, not repetitive reassurances. Those that murder innocent persons and terrorise our communities must pay the full price of the law. Benue needs peace. “Our people have a right to live without fear,” stated Mark.
He also expressed worry over the alleged abduction of passengers of a fully loaded Benue Links bus along the Otukpo–Taraku–Makurdi Road, urging security forces to immediately commence search-and-rescue efforts to secure their release.
“The attacks are barbaric and a direct assault on human life, a threat to national security and social stability,” Mark said, warning of the reoccurring killings, kidnappings and other criminal activity in Benue.
“It is unacceptable that innocent Nigerians are being killed in their communities and others being kidnapped on our highways. The first obligation of any government is the protection of life and property. “Every life lost is one too many and every attack that goes unanswered only emboldens the perpetrators,” he said. Africans & Diaspora
He called on the Armed Forces, the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services (DSS) and other security agencies to intensify the war against the criminal groups by stepping up intelligence gathering, surveillance of the vulnerable communities and highways and deployment of personnel to the identified flashpoints.
The ADC chairman said the perpetrators of the killings and kidnappings must be identified, apprehended and prosecuted and the culture of impunity must end.
Mark also called on the federal government to tackle the security situation in Benue with a sense of urgency, saying the citizens of the state have suffered recurrent attacks for too long.
“No Nigerian community should be at the mercy of armed criminals and violent militias,” he stated.
He urged on the Benue State Government, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth organisations and community stakeholders to step up collaboration with security services by giving credible intelligence to prevent further assaults.
He said security is a communal effort but government has the constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property.
Mark conveyed his condolences to the relatives of the fatalities, prayed for the wounded and hoped that the abducted passengers would be safely freed and reunited with their families.
He reiterated his solidarity with the people of Benue State and asked Nigerians to back legitimate efforts to restore peace and fight forces propagating violence and criminality.
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