Former President of the Senate, David Mark, has urged the Federal Government to take more decisive action in tackling the escalating insecurity across Nigeria.
Mark made the call in a goodwill message, delivered by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr. Paul Mumeh, on Sunday in Kano to mark this year’s Easter celebration.
He lamented the ongoing violence, particularly in the North Central states of Plateau and Benue, where countless lives and properties have been lost to criminal activities.
According to Mark, the growing menace of violent crimes, including kidnapping and attacks by armed herdsmen, has become a significant concern that demands immediate and comprehensive action.
He proposed that the groups responsible for these violent acts should be formally recognised as terrorists and dealt with accordingly.
“We must confront the truth. If they are not terrorists, why are they killing people, destroying communities, and forcing people out of their ancestral homes?” Mark questioned.
The former Senate President also condemned the relentless activities of armed herdsmen, who are suspected to be behind many of the kidnappings and killings. He emphasised that such actions are entirely unacceptable and should not only be condemned but also prohibited, stressing that no one has the right to take another person’s life.
Regarding the ongoing attacks in Benue and Plateau, Mark called on the Federal Government to ban open grazing across the entire country.
He described the violence in these states as a severe issue, one that requires urgent and serious intervention, likening the situation to a dangerous disease that must be treated promptly and effectively.
Rather than continuing with open grazing, Mark suggested the establishment of enclosed ranching systems, similar to those in other countries, as a more sustainable solution.
Having experienced suspected herdsmen attacks in his own hometown of Otukpo, in Benue South, Mark called for a more inclusive and collaborative approach to combat insecurity on all fronts.
He further proposed the creation of a well-equipped Border Security Force (BSF) to prevent the influx of suspected criminals into the country. He pointed out that many of the criminal herders responsible for violence take advantage of Nigeria’s porous borders, entering the country unchecked from neighbouring states.
“We cannot allow criminal elements to freely enter our country. We must rethink our approach. Perhaps, it is time to consider securing our borders like India, Israel, the U.S., and Mexico have done,” he suggested.
Mark added that the National Border Security Force (NBSF), when established, would be tasked with not only securing Nigeria’s borders but also addressing terrorism, kidnapping, and other violent crimes.
He expressed his condolences to the people and governments of Benue and Plateau, as well as to those who have lost loved ones in the ongoing violence.
