Irked by the assassination attempt on Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State , former President of the Senate , Senator David Mark, has tasked security operatives to step up to the challenges of securing lives and property to avoid the consequences of a resort to self help.
Meanwhile, The Northern State’s Governors Forum Forum has condemned in totality the attack on the convoy of Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom, describing it as a disturbing development which must be investigated thoroughly.
Chairman of the Forum and Governor of Plateau State Simon Bako Lalong in a statement said the attack on Governor Ortom was yet another daring attempt by criminals to cause mayhem not only in Benue State but in the nation as a whole.
While praising the security details of the Governor for repelling the attack and securing the Governor and members of his entourage, Lalong said relevant security agencies must carry out detailed investigation to fish out those behind the attack and their sponsors.
According to him, all hands must be on deck to tame this degeneration of security in the country that threatens the corporate existence of the nation.
Lalong said the Northern Governors stand in solidarity with their colleague and the entire people of Benue State, assuring that they will continue to engage and support security agencies in their duty of securing the region and nation at large.
Senator Mark said the deteriorating security situation has become scandalous and making Nigeria a subject of ridicule before other nations.
Condemning the assassination attempt on Governor Ortom yesterday, Senator Mark frowned : “If a state Governor can be so brazenly attacked, what would they not do to the ordinary citizens.
“ Let me state clearly that Benue people are receptive and accommodating. But this should not be misconstrued or mistaken for weakness. Enough of this malady .
“If our government and security operatives can no longer guarantee peoples’ safety in their homes , farms or places of business, I am worried that the situation may compel citizens to resort to self help.
“That is the situation, we cannot contemplate and must not be allowed to happen because the consequences would be catastrophic.
“Therefore, federal government and all the security agencies must of a necessity come to terms with the painful reality of the unabating insecurity in the land and resolve to end it”.
Senator Mark however told Ortom not to be deterred by the incident but should rather spur him to beef up security and welfare for the citizens of the state.
He noted that the Governor has lived up to his oath of office to wit; defend and protect the lives and property of Benue people without compromise.
Senator Mark advised all citizens to be security conscious at all times just as he told them to provide useful information to security operatives of any suspected activity believed to be unlawful or anti- society .
Governor Ortom was said to have been ambushed by gunmen suspected to be Fulani bandits along Tyo-MU Makurdi/Gboko road on Saturday. He escaped by the whiskers .
