BENUE: Citizens may resort to self-help if insecurity persists – David Mark

FORMER Senate President, David Mark, has said the attack on Governor Samuel Orton is a pointer to the pervasive lawlessness and insecurity that reign in the country.

Mark, who described the unabated insecurity in the land as “malady, urged the security operatives to guarantee the safety of lives and properties to prevent people from resorting to self-help.

The lawmaker’s reaction was contained in a statement issued by his media aide, Paul Mumeh today.

“If a state governor can be so brazenly attacked, what would they not do to the ordinary citizens?

“Let me state clearly that Benue people are receptive and accommodating. But this should not be misconstrued or mistaken for weakness. Enough of this malady.

“If our government and security operatives can no longer guarantee peoples’ safety in their homes, farms or places of business, I am worried that the situation may compel citizens to resort to self help. That is the situation, we cannot contemplate and must not be allowed to happen because the consequences would be catastrophic.

“Therefore, federal government and all the security agencies must of a necessity come to terms with the painful reality of the unabating insecurity in the land and resolve to end it.” the statement quoted Mark as saying.

Mark advised Ortom to see the attack as a reason to beef up security in the state, as he hailed him, saying he has lived up to his oath to defend and protect the people of Benue State.

Governor of Samuel Ortom was attacked by gunmen suspected to be bandits yesterday at the outskirts of Makurdi while visiting a farm belonging to the state government.