“Defend Yourselves If Government Fails!” – David Mark Warns Amid Benue Massacres
Former Senate President David Mark has issued a chilling warning to the Nigerian government: if it continues to abandon its responsibility to protect lives, citizens in Benue State may have no choice but to resort to self-defense.
Mark, in a strongly-worded statement signed by his media aide Paul Mumeh, expressed outrage over the brutal killing of more than 200 citizens in Benue over the weekend — a massacre that has deepened fears of a complete security collapse in the North Central state.
“This is the unfortunate reality the Benue people are confronted with,” Mark said. “Government must rise to its responsibility or risk leaving the people with no option but to defend themselves.”
Describing the carnage as “senseless, tragic, and unacceptable,” the former Senate President called out both the federal and state governments for their slow and insufficient response to the worsening violence.
He emphasized that the primary duty of any government is the security and welfare of its citizens, and anything short of that is a betrayal of public trust.
Mark called on the Federal Government to urgently fulfill its constitutional duty to protect Nigerians, while urging Benue State Governor Hyacinth Alia to ramp up efforts to secure the state from further attacks.
He also appealed to traditional rulers, local leaders, and communities to stay alert and collaborate with security forces in tracking down the perpetrators.
Despite the horror, Mark encouraged Benue residents to stay united and not allow fear to dominate.
“This is a trying moment for our people,” he said. “We must unite, mobilize, and speak with one voice against the invaders. We must refuse to bow to fear.”
He further urged citizens to remain law-abiding and vigilant, while reaffirming the Benue people’s resilience and reputation for being their “brother’s keeper.”
Mark’s statement joins a growing chorus of outrage over the relentless bloodshed in Benue — and signals that even seasoned statesmen are losing patience with the government’s inability to end the carnage.
