Benue killings: Enough of this war, life is sacred — Mark

Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has pleaded that enough of the killings in Benue State and other parts of the country against the backdrop that life is sacred.


In a statement, yesterday, by his Media Assistant, Paul Mumeh, Mark described as sad and frustrating,  the unabating killings in parts of Benue State despite repeated peace moves between the indigenes and the herdsmen in the state.

Only on Monday, about 26 indigenes of Omusu community in Okpokwu Local Government Area of the state were murdered in cold blood by assailants believed to be herdsmen.

Mark in a reaction to the incident condemned the unwarranted killings of innocent citizens, pointing out that the crisis was degenerating to something akin to “war without end,” defying all peaceful approaches.

He said: “I’m aware of various peace initiatives over the incessant clashes resulting to loss of lives and property. That the killings continue unabated is something beyond the ordinary.

“Let me once again appealed to the assailants to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign.   Whichever side of the divide and whatever vocation you are engaged in, no progress can be made in a crisis-ridden environment.”

Mark who bemoaned the degenerating cases of insecurity in the land, said, “From abduction of innocent school girls in Dapchi, numerous cases of kidnapping to outright terrorism against unsuspecting citizens, the situation is frustrating.

“We must all make concerted efforts to achieve peace in our communities. Our security agencies should rise up to the challenges and protect lives and property.  Life is sacred and we must not take it for granted.”