Plateau massacre: Tears as Mark’s wife visits Dantong, Fulani’s widows

By Taye Obateru
Jos— Tears flowed freely, yesterday, as the widow of deceased Senator Gyang Dantong, Hannatu, received the wife of Senate President, Mrs Helen Mark, who paid her a condolence visit, wishing that her second visit to her was not another sad occasion.
In an emotion-laden tone, Mrs. Dantong recalled how the Senate president’s wife had led a similar delegation sometime back to console her on the death of her son, adding: “The first was in 2009 when I lost my son. You all rallied around me and I remember that day vividly.

Widow of the Late Gyang Fulani, Majority Leader of Plateau State House of Assembly in tears during a condolence visit to her on Wednesday by the Speaker, Mr. John Clark Dabwan.

“Little did I know that another episode will take place. I wish it were a different thing. I give God the glory. God has silently been speaking to me and I told Him that if this is the one big sacrifice that will bring peace to Berom land, Plateau State and Nigeria, I return all the glory to Him.
Mark’s wife calls for end to killings
“If my husband has become the sacrificial lamb, with his dear friend, Gyang Fulani, we glorify God for it.”
Mrs. Mark, who is the Chairperson of the Senators Wives Association, called for an end to the killings, wondering why it was becoming difficult for Nigerians who had cohabited peacefully for many years to continue to sustain this.
Amidst tears, she urged Mrs. Dantong and other family members to remain strong and prayed God to grant them the fortitude to bear the loss.
She also paid a similar visit to the widow of the late Majority Leader of the Plateau State House of Assembly, in company of the wives of some National Assembly members.
During a similar visit to the two widows, Speaker of the Plateau State House of Assembly, John Clark Dabwan, who just returned from abroad, said he would have attended the funeral with the late Majority Leader who was his close friend if he had been around.
He said: “If I were around I would have been together with him at the burial ground because we were so close that he will not attend such event without seeing me around him. If anyone told me he would die this time I would never have accepted such, but God has His own way and does not follow the wishes of man or family members.”
He extolled the virtues of the two politicians, describing Dantong as a pillar in the politics of the state and Fulani as purposeful and God-fearing.
No cause for alarm over reported fresh attack
In another development, the Plateau State government said there was no cause for alarm on the reported fresh attack on two villages in the Barkin-Ladi Local Government Area, calling for restraint in the manner such incidents are spread.
In a statement, yesterday, the state Commissioner for Information and Communication, Mr. Yijap Abraham, said the manner the incident was being peddled was not good enough.
He said: “The incident referred to was an action by the terrorists who after displacing the villagers, through previous fatal attacks, again returned to burn their houses.  The security agencies took prompt action by repelling the attackers in their misadventure, resulting in no fatalities at all on the communities around
“While every report will be treated on its merit, government appeals to the citizens not to engage in sending misleading text messages and rumours.

Mrs Helen Mark visits Dantong’s family in Jos

“Media agencies are advised to take every step to verify their reports before going to press. Government, therefore, appeals to citizens to be extra-vigilant, share correct information with security agencies, and remain law abiding.”