By Queen Kunde
In the wake of another horrific attack in Benue State, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has vehemently condemned the senseless killing of at least 15 individuals in coordinated attacks across Otobi-Akpa, Emichi in Otukpo Local Government Area, and Utonkon in Ado LGA. The brutal assault, which took place on Tuesday night, has left entire communities reeling and grieving the loss of their loved ones.
Eyewitnesses have pointed to armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen as the perpetrators of the massacre, a claim that has sparked outrage and raised alarms about the ongoing security crisis in the region.
Speaking out in the aftermath of the tragedy, Senator Mark, visibly shaken and disturbed, declared that the attacks were not random, but part of a calculated and systematic campaign of terror aimed at innocent Nigerians. In a statement issued by his Special Adviser, Paul Mumeh, Mark said:
“Enough is enough. Our people are not pawns on a battlefield. These attacks are no longer isolated—they are systematic, coordinated, and deeply intentional. We must not stand idle while our communities are turned into killing fields.”
Mark’s words resonated with the sense of urgency that many in Benue are feeling as attacks continue to plague the state. He called for a stronger response from both the people and the government, urging residents to form well-organized vigilante networks to safeguard their communities. At the same time, he issued a sharp critique of the Nigerian security forces’ response, which he deemed insufficient in tackling the growing violence.
“The time for half-measures is over,” Mark emphasized. “Security operatives must rise to the challenge. These killers must be hunted down and brought to justice. Anything less is complicity.”
Mark pointed to the consistent pattern of violence, which he argued dispels any claims of spontaneous unrest. “What we are witnessing is not random violence. It is a premeditated campaign of terror. Our people’s patience must not be mistaken for weakness,” he said.
Though anger and sorrow gripped his words, Mark maintained a call for peace and urged cooperation with the security forces currently deployed in the area. He extended heartfelt condolences to the families who lost loved ones, expressing his deepest sympathies and prayers for those grieving.
The massacre adds to a long and growing list of violent attacks in Benue State in recent years. With each attack, residents and leaders alike are asking: How many more lives must be lost before decisive action is taken? The call for a complete overhaul of Nigeria’s security architecture has never been more urgent, as the state’s people are left to pick up the pieces of a shattered sense of safety and justice.
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