Mark laments Agatu Massacre

Fulani Herdsman 

 

Immediate past President of the Senate , Senator David Mark has decried the continued hostilities between Agatu community of Benue state and Fulani herdsmen of Nasarawa state that has claimed hundreds of lives and properties worth millions of naira destroyed.

Thousands of families have been displayed just as the hostilities continued unabated.

 As a palliative measure, Senator Mark donated relief materials worth millions of naira to the displaced persons in Aila, Aku, Okokolo, Odugbeho and other war ravaged communities in Agatu local government area of the state.

 Materials distributed include: 100 Mattresses, 100 bags of rice, 100 blankets, cooking oil, 100 cartons of Indomie noodles, 50 large mats, Maggi cubes, and cooking salts among others.

 The Benue state Peoples Democratic Party ( PDP) Deputy governorship candidate in the 2015 election Chief John Ngbede, in the company of some Agatu Chiefs and clan heads received the items and distributed the materials on behalf of Senator Mark at the Internally Displaced persons ( IDP) camps in Otukpo and Apa local government areas .

Senator Mark lamented the carnage on account of the hostilities and called for calm.

He appealed to the combatants to sheathe their swords and embrace peace because " we need to co habit with each other to make life worth the while."

 Senator Mark expressed optimism that the hostilities would soon be a thing of the past since the Federal government is now aware and expected to intervene just as security has been beefed up.

He urged the Benue and Nasarawa state governments to resuscitate the joint peace committee and create an enabling environment for both parties to cohabit harmoniously .

 He craves for an environment where every one can go about his or her legitimate businesses without fear of molestation or intimidation.

Senator Mark therefore implored the National Emergency Management Agency ( NEMA) to provide succour to the displaced persons before the coast is clear for them to return home.