…says open grazing must be banned, calls for national border security force
By Toba Owojaiye
Benue State, Nigeria
Former Senate President, Senator David Mark, has issued a stern call to the Federal Government to adopt more decisive and comprehensive measures to tackle the spiraling menace of violent crimes, kidnapping, and the growing threat of armed herdsmen terrorizing communities across the nation—particularly in the Middle Belt.
Mark, known for his measured interventions on national issues, broke his silence over the unrelenting wave of attacks and killings plaguing the North Central states, especially Benue and Plateau. In a strongly-worded Easter message, he condemned the systemic violence that has left hundreds dead and displaced thousands from their ancestral homes.
“Enough is enough,” the former Senate helmsman said. “We must call these killers what they are—terrorists—and treat them as such. If they are not terrorists, then what do we call those who kill innocent people, raze down villages, and displace entire communities?”
Senator Mark’s remarks come in the wake of fresh attacks on several communities in Benue and Plateau States—states that have borne the brunt of years of violent herdsmen incursions. Mark, whose hometown of Otukpo in Benue South has also experienced attacks, lamented the government’s inertia and called for an end to impunity.
He advocated for a complete ban on open grazing across Nigeria, proposing instead the establishment of modern, enclosed ranches—a globally accepted model of animal husbandry. “We cannot continue to sacrifice lives on the altar of outdated practices. Open grazing is archaic and unsustainable. We must embrace best practices in agriculture that ensure security, productivity, and peace.”
In addition to agricultural reforms, Mark proposed the creation of a National Border Security Force (NBSF)—a specialized outfit mandated to secure Nigeria’s porous borders, stem the influx of foreign criminal elements, and counter terrorism, banditry, and transnational crime.
“It’s no secret that many of these armed herders are not Nigerians. They exploit our porous borders, enter unchecked, and unleash violence on our people. It’s time we took a cue from countries like India, Israel, the United States, and Mexico, and begin serious discussions around border fencing and border surveillance,” he said.
The NBSF, according to Senator Mark, would serve as a critical deterrent, ensuring that Nigeria’s borders are not gateways for mercenaries, arms smugglers, and insurgents. He called for the equipping and training of the force to the highest international standards, ensuring synergy with existing security agencies.
“A debilitating disease requires a more aggressive treatment,” Mark noted, referencing the scale of the violence. “We can’t keep applying mild solutions to a crisis that has turned entire regions into mass graves.”
He commiserated with the governments and people of Benue and Plateau States, as well as all Nigerians who have lost loved ones to violent crimes, urging unity and resilience in the face of national tragedy.
As insecurity threatens to undermine Nigeria’s stability, Senator Mark’s passionate and pointed intervention serves as a call to conscience—urging leaders to put politics aside and act with urgency, clarity, and courage.