In a decisive challenge to the Federal Government, David Mark, the national chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and former Senate President, has demanded immediate and military-backed intervention to halt a devastating resurgence of killings and mass kidnappings in Benue and Plateau states.

Reacting to the recent slaughter of 25 people across both states and the brazen highway abduction of an entire commercial bus of passengers along the Otukpo–Taraku–Makurdi Road, Mark warned on Monday that the government’s continued inaction is directly emboldening armed militias and plunging Nigeria’s food basket into absolute lawlessness.

He stressed that the state is failing its primary constitutional duty to protect its citizens, declaring that the time for routine political assurances has passed and must be replaced by a massive deployment of security forces to dismantle the growing culture of impunity.

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The ADC National Chairman’s urgent intervention, released via a statement by his media aide, Kola Ologbondiyan, follows the separate weekend massacres of 16 individuals in Otukpo, Benue State, and nine others in the Riyom Local Government Area of Plateau State.