Former Senate President, David Mark has lamented that recent attacks in Otukpo and Ado Local Government Areas of Benue State were planned, and not a random occurence.
Recall that the attacks left at least 15 people dead on Tuesday night.
The assaults occurred in the communities of Otobi-Akpa and Emichi in Otukpo LGA, as well as Utonkon in Ado LGA, where gunmen unleashed violence on residents.
In a statement released by his Special Adviser, Paul Mumeh, Mark described the killings as “one too many” and called on security agencies to urgently rise to the occasion.
“This is no longer a random occurrence,” Mark said. “It appears to be an organised, premeditated onslaught. We cannot continue to sit back and watch our people slaughtered for no reason.”
He stressed the need for communities to form vigilance groups to defend themselves and their property, noting that the security situation in parts of Benue requires immediate and serious attention.
While encouraging Benue people to remain accommodating, he urged them to be cautious and able to distinguish between genuine residents and hostile intruders.
“Inasmuch as we should welcome others, we must differentiate between legitimate residents and those with harmful intentions,” he added.
Mark extended condolences to the families of the victims and prayed for the souls of the departed. He also urged residents to stay calm and cooperate with security forces working to restore peace.
This statement follows a similar warning he issued on April 7, where he cautioned against reprisals after a wave of attacks by suspected terrorists in the state.
