Senate President David Mark on Monday cautioned against reprisals following Sunday's death of Sen Gyang Dantong and Gyang Fulani, Majority Leader in the Plateau House of Assembly.
Both men died at Masei village in the Bachit District of Riyom Local Government in Plateau, in what the Special Task Force (STF) described as “a stampede'' when gunmen attacked the mourners, including the deceased,? as they were about to bury villagers killed by gunmen on Saturday.
Mark, who spoke when he paid a condolence visit to Governor Jonah Jang, said that people must “avoid vengeance at all cost’’.
“We believe only dialogue and preaching of peace can bring about the needed peace in our nation.
“It is not that I am not directly involved that I am saying this, but we believe that dialogue is the best step to resolve these challenges,’’ he said.
He described the death of the two law makers as “one death too many’’, but said that “if their death will bring peace on the Plateau, let that aim be achieved,’’ he said.
He expressed the hope that the killers of those responsible for the incessant attacks on the Plateau would be apprehended to face the full wrath of the law.
The Senate President described Dantong as a “distinguished senator and a perfect gentleman’’, and expressed the sympathy of the National Assembly and the entire nation to the family, the government and the people of Plateau State.
In his remarks, Jang thanked the Senate President for the visit, stating that the gesture would strengthen the family, government and good people of Plateau who are deeply touched by the loss of their illustrious sons.
He observed that Plateau had been under siege for more than two years, and alleged that some outsiders were conniving with those within Plateau to keep on attacking.????
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Mark was accompanied by Senators? Andy Uba, Chris Ngige, Victor Lar, Bwagmas Abe, Patrcik Akowa and Emmanuel Ogwoge.
Also on the entourage was the Water Resources Minister, Sarah Ochekpe.
Mark later visited the families of the deceased, the Gbong Gwom Jos, and the Plateau House of Assembly.