Concerns that wanton killings and kidnappings may not abate have forced some prominent Nigerians to be unanimous in the growing calls on communities to defend themselves against activities of killer herdsmen in the country.
Former Senate President and retired army general, Senator David Mark, sought community self-defence mechanisms after 15 persons were killed around his homeland, Otukpo, the headquarters of Idoma land.
Mark, in a statement by his spokesman, Mr. Paul Mumeh, said it was time communities begin to organise themselves into vigilanté groups to halt further invasion by those he described as murderers.
The Senator tasked security operatives to rise up to challenge to arrest the perpetrators and bring them to justice forthwith.
“The situation in parts of Benue state today cannot be said to be ordinary or accidental. It seems to me that it is an organised and premeditated action. We can no longer stand to watch our people killed needlessly for no just cause”, Mark was quoted as saying.
Senator Mark noted that “in as much as our people should accommodate others in our communities, we must as a matter of necessity differentiate between legitimate residents and invaders.”
He condemned the attack on Otobi-Akpa, Emichi in Otukpo Local Government Area and Utonkon in Ado Local Government Area in Benue state by armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
No fewer than 15 persons were reported killed during the invasion by the armed men on Tuesday night in Otobi – Akpa, Emichi and Utonkon communities.
In October 2022, Danjuma, restated his call on Nigerians to defend themselves against armed bandits terrorising the country.
The retired army General, made the call at the official presentation of Staff of Office to the new Aku Uka of Wukari, Manu Ali, in Wukari.
According to Mr Danjuma, his earlier call on Nigerians to defend their land against terrorists was taken for granted and the result was clear for everyone to see.
“My appeal to you the new Aku Uka is for you to unite us to be able to effectively defend ourselves against the enemies of the country.
“In 2017 when I called on the people to defend themselves, a kangaroo commission of enquiry was set up to investigate and they said I was lying because there was no evidence.
“Today in the country, there is evidence everywhere; the foreign bandits are killing and taking over lands in all the places.
“I will not give you arms, you have to find out how the bandits got and find yours too,” Mr Danjuma said.
Recall that in a speech recently, at a conference in Abuja, the Director-General of the Department of State Services, Mr. Adeola Oluwatosin Ajayi, advocated that communities rise up to defend themselves against invaders.
Plateau State Governor Mutfwang advocates self-defence
Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang says he believes “every community must defend itself” in response to the mass killings in the state by suspected armed herders.
More than 100 people have been killed in a series of attacks in Bassa Local Government Area of the state in the past fortnight.
The latest attack occurred in the early hours of Monday when the gunmen attacked the Zike and Kimakpa communities of Kwall District in the Iregwe Chiefdom. Over 50 people have been reported killed in the attack with several houses and other properties also destroyed.
Mr Mutfwang, who visited some of the affected communities in Kwall District on Tuesday, said the security challenges in the state have deprived the state of steady growth and development.
The governor stated that the state government had made tangible investments in technology to address the state’s current security challenges.
“Immediately we assumed office, we took decisive steps and invested heavily in technology just to end these security challenges facing us.
“Insurgency and terrorism have deprived us of the riches of the land; our developmental strides on the Plateau have been slow because of insecurity.
“There is no reason for us to be where we are; our people cannot go to their farms and engage in any economic venture.
“But as a government, we are doing everything possible to end these circles of attacks and killings,” he said.
