Benue Killings Spark National Fury: David Mark Warns of Self-Defense If Government Fails to Intervene

 

Former Senate President David Mark has expressed deep anguish and strong condemnation over the brutal killing of more than 200 villagers in Benue State’s Guma Local Government Area, allegedly perpetrated by suspected herdsmen over the weekend.

In a sharply worded statement released through his media adviser, Paul Mumeh, the former lawmaker described the incident as a devastating affront to humanity and a clear failure of the government to uphold its primary duty—protecting the lives and properties of its citizens.

David Mark, a native of Benue State and a respected political figure in Nigeria, did not mince words as he addressed the harrowing tragedy. He warned that continued government inaction in the face of unrelenting violence could drive vulnerable communities to take justice into their own hands. The implications of such a development, he said, would be far-reaching and potentially disastrous for national unity and law and order.

"This carnage is not only senseless, it is tragic and completely unacceptable," Mark emphasized in the statement. "There comes a breaking point for every people. When the system repeatedly fails to shield them from massacre and ruin, their instinct to survive will override any appeal to patience."

The massacre, one of the deadliest in recent memory, has left the nation reeling. Eyewitness reports and local officials have confirmed that entire communities were decimated, homes burned to ashes, and hundreds of families displaced. The attack is part of a disturbing trend of escalating violence in the Middle Belt region, often attributed to long-standing clashes between herdsmen and farming communities.

Mark lamented what he termed the “deteriorating security situation” in Benue and other parts of the country. According to him, the scale of the destruction and the frequency of such incidents suggest a complete breakdown of security infrastructure.

“The people of Benue have endured unspeakable agony, losing loved ones, livelihoods, and their sense of safety in a land they have called home for generations,” he said. “This continued bloodshed not only dishonors the values of our nation, it erodes the very foundations of governance and justice.”

He stressed that the government cannot afford to stand aloof in such moments of collective grief and terror. Rather, he urged the federal authorities to rise to the occasion, deploy meaningful interventions, and hold perpetrators accountable. Anything less, he argued, would be tantamount to abandonment.

For many residents, the trauma is not just physical but deeply psychological. Displaced children wander through makeshift camps, mothers mourn their slain sons, and entire communities cling to survival with dwindling hope. The devastation has rekindled fears of renewed communal conflict and destabilization in the region.

Mark’s statement strikes a tone of urgency, warning the federal government of the consequences of prolonged negligence. “People will be left with no option but to defend themselves if this carnage continues unchecked,” he said. “It is a dangerous path, but one that is becoming increasingly inevitable if the authorities do not act with decisiveness.”

The former Senate President called on President Bola Tinubu’s administration to reaffirm its commitment to the Nigerian Constitution, particularly the clause that entrusts the state with the protection of citizens' lives and property. He also urged the security agencies to intensify surveillance and intelligence gathering in order to preempt future attacks.

Beyond immediate security interventions, Mark advocated for a comprehensive national dialogue that addresses the root causes of these persistent clashes—issues ranging from land disputes and resource competition to ethnic and religious tensions. He noted that sustainable peace will require not only guns and uniforms but also justice, reconciliation, and socioeconomic empowerment.

As Benue State buries its dead and begins yet another cycle of grief, David Mark’s voice adds to the growing chorus of leaders and citizens demanding answers, action, and accountability. For now, the silence from the corridors of power remains deafening, while communities brace for what the next day may bring.

The call is clear: protect the people—or prepare for the consequences of a nation that may choose to protect itself.