Former Senate President, David Mark has taken an assessment tour of Agatu Local Goernment Area in the Benue South constituency where over 500 people were said to have been killed by Fulani herdsmen.

In a statement released from his office, Mark decried the wanton destruction of lives and properties in the community describing it as barbaric, wicked and inhumane of the armed men.

He however, told the few survivors of the attacks to be assured that the government would wade in, to bring comfort and support their way while urging them to stay peaceful no matter the level of provocation thrown their way.

He also urged them to fully utilise the opportunity of the proposed public hearing by the joint Senate committee on the crisis to bring the issue to the general public in a view to finding a solution.

Speaking on the recent attacks, Mark revealed that the extent of destruction which was evident from his visit to the community is shocking and unbelievable.

He also urged security agencies to speedily bring the perpetrators of such violent acts to book.

Furthermore, the senator revealed that the recent attacks, which has seen about 10 communities burnt down and over 500 people killed, appears to be a well planned genocide against the people of the Local Government Area.

He said: “I’m shocked beyond words at the extent of destruction I have seen here in Agatu today. This is unbelievable. It is unimaginable. Nothing whatsoever justifies this brazen act of destruction meted out on the people of Agatu. My heart bleeds.”

“The villages are totally bereft of any social or economic activities. All the primary and post primary schools, health centres , worship centres as well as the police station in the area have been burnt down.”

“What is left of a hitherto boisterous Agatu communities of Aila, Akwu, Adagbo, Okokolo, Ugboju, Odugbeho, Ogbaulu, Egba and Obagaji are the debris of the wreckage,” the statement said.

Prior to his assessment visit, Mark had through a community leader and former commissioner in Benue state, John Ngbede, given out relief matrial to the survivors of the massacre.