Senator David Mark Condemns Mass Killings in Benue and Plateau States
Senator David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress, has condemned recent mass killings in Benue and Plateau states, calling for decisive government action against perpetrators.
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In the wake of a spate of deadly attacks across central Nigeria, Senator David Mark, National Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC), has issued a strong condemnation of the recent mass killings in Benue and Plateau states. The violence, which unfolded over a single weekend, claimed the lives of at least 27 people, including women and children, reigniting national concern over persistent insecurity in the region.
According to Vanguard News, armed attackers struck multiple communities in Benue State, beginning with the killing of two individuals in Ikpachi on Friday. The following morning, assailants launched a brutal assault on Otukpo Nobi, where 16 people were killed. The report described the attacks as part of a wider wave of violence that also affected communities in Plateau State, resulting in the deaths of nine members of a single family. The coordinated nature of the attacks and the targeting of civilians have deepened fears of escalating conflict in the region.
In response, Senator Mark called for urgent and decisive action from the federal government. Speaking through a statement reported by This Day, he condemned the killings and demanded that security agencies take stronger measures to protect lives and apprehend those responsible. 'The government must act decisively against criminals who continue to terrorize innocent citizens,' Mark stated, emphasizing the need for accountability and improved security infrastructure.
The calls for action are echoed by civil society organizations. The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) and the Initiative for Community Peace and Reconciliation (IPCR) have also condemned the attacks, urging state governors to assume greater responsibility in safeguarding their citizens. The recurring nature of such violence underscores the fragility of peace in Nigeria’s Middle Belt, where communal tensions and armed conflict have long plagued rural communities. As families mourn their dead, the demand for lasting solutions grows louder.