Former Senate President David Mark on Sunday condemned the assassination attempt on Gov. Samuel Ortom of Benue.
In a statement by his media aide, Paul Mumeh, Mark tasked security operatives to step up to the challenge of securing lives and property.
He said that the deteriorating security situation had become a matter of concern as Nigerians were no longer feeling secure anywhere.
He said: ”If a state governor can be so brazenly attacked, what would they not do to the ordinary citizen?
“Let me state clearly that Benue people are receptive and accommodating, but this should not be misconstrued or mistaken for weakness.
“If our government and security operatives can no longer guarantee people’s 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, the 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.”
Mark stressed the need for the Federal Government and security agencies to be more proactive in handling the insecurity in the country.
The former Senate President however urged Gov. Ortom not to be deterred by the incident.
“The attack should rather spur him to beef up security and welfare for the citizens of the state.
“He has been doing a lot to defend the lives and property of Benue people without compromise. We want him to continue doing that,” he said.
Mark advised Nigerians to be security conscious at all times and provide useful information to security operatives to help the quest to secure Nigerians.
Gov. Ortom was reported to have been ambushed by gunmen suspected to be bandits along Tyo- Mu Makurdi/Gboko road on Saturday.
Reports say that the governor of the north-central state narrowly escaped.
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