Former Senate President, David Mark, has lamented the attacks and destruction of lives and properties in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State by armed men suspected to be Fulani herdsmen.
Mark, according to a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr. Paul Mumeh, stated this while on assessment tour of the war ravaged communities along with some members of the National and state Assembly from his Benue South constituency.
He urged security operatives to do all that is needed to bring the perpetrators to book.
The Senator was of the view that the attacks could not have happened by accident but suspected a planned and orchestrated genocide against his people in Agatu.
He lamented that about 10 communities were razed while no fewer than 500 lives had been lost to the recent hostilities.
Some of the villages visited by Mark and his team, the statement added, had been deserted and virtually turned into ghost towns.
He said, “I am shocked beyond words at the extent of destruction I have seen here in Agatu today. This is unbelievable. It is unimaginable.
“Nothing whatsoever justifies this brazen act of destruction meted out on the people of Agatu. My heart bleeds.”
The statement noted that there were no social or economic activities in the villages.
It also noted that all the primary and post primary schools, health centres, and worship centres as well as the police station in the area were burnt in the attack.
“What is left of a hitherto boisterous Agatu communities of Aila, Akwu, Adagbo, Okokolo, Ugboju, Odugbeho, Ogbaulu, Egba and Obagaji are the debris of the wreckage,” it added.
Mark, however, told the survivors of the attacks to remain calm and law abiding no matter the level of provocation. He assured them that the government would intervene to bring succour to them.
He advised the people to take advantage of the proposed public hearing by the senate committee on security and National intelligence on the crisis, to bring the matter to public domain and seek redress.
