Amid fresh bloodshed in Benue State, former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has issued a stern warning to both state and federal authorities: if the government continues to fail in its constitutional duty to protect lives, citizens may be left with no choice but to resort to self-defense.
Reacting to the latest mass killings across communities in the state—including the recent massacre in Yelewata, Guma Local Government Area—Mark condemned the attacks as “barbaric, inhumane, and intolerable.” He described the wave of violence as a slow-moving war waged against defenseless civilians, with the government watching helplessly from the sidelines.
In a statement issued Monday by his Special Adviser, Paul Mumeh, Senator Mark lamented:
“This is no longer acceptable. Government cannot continue to watch helplessly while our people are being slaughtered in their homes. If this persists, people may be forced to defend themselves.”
The elder statesman stressed that no government can claim legitimacy if it cannot safeguard the lives and property of its citizens. He warned that continued silence or failure to act would amount to complicity and a betrayal of the social contract.
Calling on President Bola Tinubu and the Federal Government to live up to their responsibilities, Mark demanded urgent and decisive measures to halt the carnage. He also tasked Governor Hyacinth Alia with stepping up internal security coordination and working more effectively with federal forces.
Senator Mark further appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, and local vigilante groups to intensify intelligence sharing and grassroots cooperation with security agencies.
To the grieving people of Benue, he offered a message of strength and unity:
“This is a painful time for us all, but we must not allow fear and anger to divide us. Let us remain law-abiding, but vigilant. Let us speak with one voice and stand together in defense of our communities.”
Mark’s remarks have struck a chord across the Middle Belt, where frustration is mounting over what many perceive as federal inaction and the growing normalization of mass violence in rural communities.
