The blood of innocent people slaughtered in Benue State is calling for justice, according to David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
According to Mark, it is crucial to uphold peace throughout the state, thus those who terrorise communities should be held fully accountable by the law.
The ADC National Chairman urged the Federal Government to take swift, decisive action to put an end to the ongoing murders and kidnappings in Benue and Plateau states in a statement released by his media assistant, Kola Ologbondiyan.
Mark’s remarks coincide with a resurgence of violence in which groups thought to be armed militias have killed 16 persons in the Otukpo area of Benue State and nine more in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.
“It’s unacceptable that innocent Nigerians are still being killed in their communities and that people are being taken away on our roads,” he declared. Any government’s first responsibility is to protect citizens and their property.
“Every life lost is too many, and every attack that goes unchecked only makes the perpetrators more fearless.”
Mark called on the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, and other security organisations to step up their efforts against the attackers.
He requested improved intelligence gathering, continuous surveillance of vulnerable villages and important thoroughfares, and prompt deployment of security personnel to high-risk regions.
In order to save the people who were abducted from the Benue Links bus, he also requested immediate search and rescue operations.
In order to put an end to what he saw as a rising culture of getting away with crimes, Mark stated that the perpetrators of the killings and kidnappings should be located, apprehended, and put on trial as soon as possible.
“No Nigerian community should be left to face armed criminals and violent groups,” stated Mark, urging the federal government to take the deteriorating security situation in Benue seriously.
“Justice is demanded by the blood of innocent Benue people. This is not the time for customary assurances, but for bold action.
“Those who terrorise our communities and kill innocent people must face the full force of the law.” Our people deserve to live fearlessly, and Benue deserves peace.