Former President of the Senate, Senator David Mark, has warned that if the unending killings in Benue State are not nipped in the bud by the federal government, the people will not have any other option than to defend themselves.

He expressed deep concern over the continued and escalating killings of citizens in Benue State, stressing that the ugly situation of almost daily massacres may compel residents to resort to self-help and defend themselves if the government continues to fail in its fundamental duty of protecting lives and property.

In a statement signed on Monday in Abuja by his media adviser, Paul Mumeh, the former president of the Senate decried the deteriorating security situation in Benue, which has led to the loss of hundreds of lives and widespread destruction of property. He described the killings as “senseless, tragic, and unacceptable”.

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Senator Mark, who emphasised that the primary responsibility of any government is the welfare and security of its citizens, stressed that any deviation from this mandate constitutes a gross disservice to the people, adding, “This is the unfortunate reality the Benue people are confronted with. Government must rise to its responsibility or risk leaving the people with no option but to defend themselves.”

Senator Mark urged the federal government to fulfil its constitutional obligation to safeguard the lives and property of all Nigerians. He also called on the state government, under the leadership of Governor Hyacinth Alia, to intensify its efforts in ensuring the safety of the people.

The former president of the Senate appealed to traditional rulers, community leaders, and stakeholders to remain vigilant and cooperate fully with security agencies in identifying and apprehending those behind these heinous crimes.

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To the people of Benue, Senator Mark offered a message of solidarity and resilience. “This is a trying moment for our people,” he said. “We must unite, mobilise, and speak with one voice against the invaders. We must refuse to bow to fear.”

Despite the ongoing provocations, he urged the people to remain law-abiding, stay united, and uphold the enduring spirit of being their brother’s keeper.

US law enforcement officials in Minnesota said the suspected killer of a Democratic state lawmaker and her husband was taken into custody without force on Sunday, after a two-day manhunt.

Vance Boelter, 57, was arrested on Sunday following a two-day manhunt in the Midwestern state, law enforcement officials said.

“There was no use of force by any member of law enforcement that was out there, and the suspect was taken into custody without an use of force,” Minnesota State Patrol Lieutenant Colonel Jeremy Geiger told a press conference.

Recall Trump and US Attorney General Pam Bondi decried the incident as “horrific violence” and said the perpetrators would be prosecuted to “the fullest extent of the law.”

READ ALSO: US Lawmaker Shot Dead, Another Wounded In Targeted Attack

State representative Melissa Hortman — the former speaker — and her husband Mark were killed at their home near Minneapolis, Governor Tim Walz told a press conference.

State senator John Hoffman and his wife Yvette were shot and wounded, the governor said, his voice breaking with emotion. He said officials remained “cautiously optimistic” they would recover.

“This was an act of targeted political violence,” Walz told reporters.

“Peaceful discourse is the foundation of our democracy. We don’t settle our differences with violence or at gunpoint.”

Drew Evans, superintendent of the Minnesota Bureau of Criminal Apprehension, said Hoffman and his wife were shot first, and as police investigated, Hortman and her husband were shot about 90 minutes later.

The suspected gunman was able to escape during an exchange of gunfire with officers near Hortman’s residence, Evans told reporters.

An inspector of Police in Edo State, identified as Chris from the X-Squad, has been reportedly arrested and detained for allegedly forging an affidavit to remand 22-year-old Aibuedefe Igbinova Grace in correctional custody using the court.

An Area Court in Jos on Monday sentenced friends Michael Auta and Gabriel Sunday to 12 months imprisonment each for stealing clothes valued at N488,000.

The judge, Mrs Shawomi Bokkos, sentenced the convicts after they pleaded guilty to the offence.
The judge, however, gave the convicts an option of a fine of N50,000 each.

She also ordered that they both pay compensation of N200,000 each to the complainant or risk another 12 months in jail for default.

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Earlier, the Police Prosecutor, Insp Daniel Damulak, told the court that the case was reported at the B division police station on April 17 by the complainant, one Ms Gift Ernest.

Damulak said the complainant told the police that the accused persons trespassed into her shop and stole clothes valued at N488,000.

He said that during the police investigation, the accused persons confessed to having committed the offence.
The prosecutor said that the offence contravened the Plateau State Penal Code law of Northern Nigeria of 2017.