By Stanley Azuakola

Senate President David Mark is a man most Nigerians love to hate. Not without good reason: the last time we heard from him, he was condemning social media and asking for it to be regulated.

Well, what a different a few weeks make.

There was a Senate seating yesterday, in which senators expressed outrage over the gruesome killing of four students of University of Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

Senator Ayogu Eze (Enugu North) had earlier brought a motion entitled: “Motion condemning the murder of students of the University of Port Harcourt and one other person at Omuakiri Village, Aluu, Rivers State.” The motion, which was supported by 90 other senators, was adopted by the senate.

Senate President, Senator David Mark, described the barbaric murders as totally condemnable and atrocious. Mark noted that perhaps the time has come for the nation to final embrace the system of state police. He was displeased by the continued inability of security agents to apprehend perpetrators of crimes in the country.

He said, “There is no doubt that this act is condemnable. We feel for the students who have lost their lives, we feel for the parents of the students who have lost their lives but there is a local saying that when you point a finger to someone else four others are pointing at you.

“So we all have a share in ensuring that there is safety of lives and property in this country.

“It is not that crimes don’t happen elsewhere but the difference between crimes elsewhere and crimes in Nigeria is that outside this country, the
perpetrators are arrested as quickly as possible and brought to book.

“The reason why people don’t want to commit crime is the fear of punishment that is the
consequences of it.

“Here if you commit crime and you think you can go scot free then it is jungle justice.

“I must also emphasize that the legislature exist in this country, the judiciary is there and the
executive is there and this clearly are not signs of failed states.”

Another highpoint of Mark’s speech was his appreciation of social media, which he had condemned in the past.

“With the help of social media, the faces of the killers of the boys were identified.” – Sen David Mark said.

Thank you, sir. Now please ensure your president has no rest until these killers are found and punished.