By Nathaniel Zacchaeus, Abuja
Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has called on the Federal Government to be more proactive in its efforts to tackle the menace of violent crimes, kidnapping and armed herders devastating parts of Nigeria.
Mark, in a message to commemorate the Easter celebration, suggested that such violent and murderous groups should be declared terrorists and should be treated as such.
He bemoaned the un-abating violent crimes, especially in the North Central states of Plateau and Benue that have claimed dozens of lives and properties.
Scores of residents have been killed in gruesome attacks on several communities in Plateau and Benue states.
In Benue State, the death toll from the recent attacks by bandits on the Ukum and Logo local government areas of the state was reported to have risen to 56.
The Northern Senators Forum (NSF) have cautioned those behind banditry and terrorism in Nigeria to put an end to the evil acts.
This came as the Senate Leader, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, disclosed yesterday that the National Assembly has commenced the process of developing legal frameworks for the establishment of State Police to arrest the rising insecurity in the country.
*Ex-Senate President, Mark, charges FG, laments incessant attacks on Benue communities
However, the former Senate President said in his Easter message, “We must not shy away from the truth. If they are not terrorists, why are they killing people? Why are they destroying communities? Why are they chasing people away from their ancestral homes?”
He decried the unending activities of armed herders suspected to be behind killings and kidnappings.
He said that “their activities are unacceptable and should not only be condemned but be prohibited in entirety as nobody has the right to take anybody’s life”.
On the un-abating ferocious and murderous attacks on several communities in Benue and Plateau states, Mark called on the Federal Government to proscribe open grazing in all parts of the country.
He suggested the establishment of enclosed ranching in place of open grazing, which is the best practice worldwide.
The former Senate President, whose Otukpo, Benue South country home has been targeted by suspected herdsmen, called for a more inclusive approach to tackling insecurity in all its ramifications.
Mark also called for establishing a well-equipped Border Security Forces (BSF) to halt the influx of criminals into the country.
He pointed out that most of the suspected herders killing our people took advantage of the porosity of our borders by streaming into the country from our neighbouring countries.
He said, “We must not allow criminal elements to stream into our country. We must, therefore, change our strategy. Maybe we can begin to think of fencing our borders like India, Israel, the United States and Mexico.”
When established, he said that the National Border Security Force (NBSF) would not only be saddled with the mandate of policing our porous borders but would also have the mandate of fighting terrorism, kidnapping and other violent crimes.
Justifying his current stance, Mark, who decried the carnage going on in Benue and Plateau states, said that a debilitating disease deserves a more serious medication if it must be cured.
He commiserated with the people and governments of Benue and Plateau States and all those who lost their loved ones.
*Northern Senators to terrorists: Stop evil acts
Meanwhile, the Northern Senators Forum (NSF) have cautioned those behind banditry and terrorism in Nigeria to put an end to the evil acts.
In their Easter message, the Senators also urged Nigerians to reject hate speech, bigotry and corruption among other vices.
This was contained in a statement issued on their behalf by the NSF Chairman, Senator Abdulaziz Musa Yar’Adua, in Abuja yesterday.
They also urged the leaders to prioritise the well-being and happiness of others to foster a more harmonious and tolerant society.
The statement read in part, “By embracing the values of love, forgiveness, and compassion, we can collectively reject vices such as hate speech, bigotry, corruption, banditry, and terrorism. By prioritising the well-being and happiness of others, we can foster a more harmonious and tolerant society.”
The NSF noted that the Easter celebration poignantly reminds us of the triumph of good over evil and life over death, as embodied in Jesus Christ’s death and resurrection.
The statement read, “This period calls for introspection, love, forgiveness, and compassion, underscoring the importance of nurturing our relationships with God and fellow human beings.
“The Holy Scripture reminds us that true fulfilment in life stems not from material wealth but from cultivating meaningful spiritual and human connections.
“As we celebrate Easter, we are encouraged to reflect on how to apply the teachings of Jesus Christ in our daily lives with renewed dedication.
“On behalf of the Northern Senators Forum, I am delighted to extend warm greetings to our Christian compatriots as they commemorate this year’s Easter celebration.
“We express profound gratitude to the Almighty God for granting us another opportunity to celebrate this significant occasion.
“As we celebrate this Easter, let us strive to love our neighbours and demonstrate the increased spirit of tolerance and accommodation. By doing so, we can build a nation where everyone can live in peace and prosperity.”
*Senate working on legal framework for State Police, says Bamidele, majority leader
The Leader of the Senate, Senator Opeyemi Bamidele, has dropped the hint that the National Assembly has commenced developing legal frameworks for establishing State Police to arrest the rising insecurity in the country.
Bamidele stated this in his Easter message, which was released through a statement by his office’s Media Directorate.
The Senator, who represents Ekiti Central in the federal parliament, pleaded with leaders across boards to shun divisive agendas and narratives that could compound the country’s challenges.
He disclosed that the National Assembly’s authority “is developing legal frameworks for the creation of state police as one of the measures to address insecurity in the country.”
He urged Nigerians “to consciously reflect on the virtues of Jesus Christ; learn from His consecration and live His life of purpose rooted in the pursuit of justice, love and redemption for humanity.”
Part of his message read, “As we celebrate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ our Lord, it is exigent that we reflect on His virtues, learn from His consecration, and live His life of purpose rooted in the pursuit of justice, love, and redemption for humanity.
“Despite the animosity He suffered and opposition He faced, Jesus Christ consciously sought and secured freedom for the captives, peace for the troubled, comfort for the sorrowful, love for the dejected, justice for the oppressed and hope for those in despair.
“In Nigeria today, Christ’s example presents us a glimpse of how we should live together as compatriots and not competitors, collaborators and not combatants, comrades and not contenders in the task of building a viable and virile federation that will serve the interest of all.
“The recent killings in Benue and Plateau States out rightly negated the virtues of peace and love that Jesus Christ taught during His days.
“The recurrent utterances by some political and sectional figures also belied the values of courage, perseverance and tolerance He lived for. No country develops due to one section rising against another and vice versa.
“While the Authority of the National Assembly is in the process of developing legal frameworks for the establishment of state police as one of the measures to address insecurity in the country, we urge security agencies to work together as a team to track and apprehend all the masterminds and sponsors of terror attacks nationwide.
“We appeal to some political actors that always lash on the country’s challenges to push divisive narratives to learn from the example of Jesus Christ.
“Such actors are no longer playing opposition politics but simply taking advantage of the country’s internal conditions to pursue their parochial political outcomes. Nigeria is our ultimate project. As a parliament, we are committed to the actualisation of this project.
“This is evident in all the legislative initiatives we are pushing since the birth of the 10th National Assembly. And our goal is to build a federation that will be noted for peace, progress and prosperity anywhere in the world.
“Regardless of their ethnicity, politics and religion, all actors should shun all forms of divisive utterance and join forces against the common foes of Nigeria and not subvert our effort to build a strong and virile federation,” the senate leader pleaded.”
*Nigerians in dilemma, end killings, Kukah tells Tinubu
The Bishop of Sokoto Catholic Diocese, Matthew Hassan Kukah, has called on President Ahmed Bola Tinubu to end the suffering and afflictions plaguing Nigerians while delivering his Easter message.
The bishop expressed concern over the culture of brutality and savagery rampant in the country, stating that it had placed Nigeria outside the purview of human civilisation.
According to him, the nation is gradually becoming a huge national morgue, saying no day passes by that Nigerian citizens would not be abducted and or killed by terrorists
He urged the President to take decisive action to address the suffering and restore peace and security to the nation, adding that Nigerians are “hanging on the cross” at the mercy of the forces of darkness.
Kukah lamented that Nigeria had been overrun by bandits and kidnappers, who had become embedded in every sphere of life, threatening to destroy the very fabric of Nigerian society.
“We are in a dilemma now, and the question is simple: is the persistence of insecurity a statement of the lack of capacity of our men and women in uniform, or is it evidence that those at the top are reaping the fruits of funding their war machine?” he asked.
He emphasised that Christians must face life’s challenges with confidence, equipped with the light of Christ to drive out the darkness threatening to engulf the country.
The bishop’s Easter message comes as Nigeria continues to grapple with widespread insecurity, including kidnapping, banditry, and terrorism.
