Tinubu reacts to Plateau, Benue killings

President Bola Tinubu responded to the rampant insecurity in some areas of the nation by denouncing recent inter-communal killings in the Mangu Council of Plateau State and some areas of Benue State and asking for a stop to the cycle of bloodshed in the nation.

President Tinubu urged various socio-cultural and religious organisations in the two states to take action to stop the carnage in a statement from his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communication, and Strategy, Dele Alake.

He specifically urged community leaders, religious leaders, traditional leaders, socio-cultural organisations, and the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) to collaborate in order to foster genuine and lasting peace while reestablishing trust and restoring harmony.

Tinubu said he found it very depressing the festering reprisal attacks, needless and avoidable bloodletting among communities in Plateau and Benue.

“It is most unfortunate that in this orgy of violence, an innocent eight-month-old baby in Farin Lamba community of Vwang District, Jos South Local Government, died in a conflict she knew nothing about. A major consequence of perennial conflict is always the tragic loss of innocent lives.

“To build virile, peaceful and prosperous communities demand tolerance and forgiveness for every perceived wrongdoing,” the President said.

While reaffirming his government’s strong determination to stamp out violent crimes and all forms of criminalities everywhere in Nigeria, the President directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the dastardly acts to face the full wrath of law.

He also charged the governments of Plateau and Benue states and emergency response agencies to provide support and immediate relief to victims who have been displaced as a result of the conflicts.