President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness and grief over the rounds of violence and killings in Plateau and Benue, stating, “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.”
This sentiment was shared in a statement by Mr. Dele Alake, Special Adviser to the President on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, on Tuesday in Abuja.
The President condemned the most recent internecine killings in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau and parts of Benue. Tinubu found very depressing the festering reprisal attacks, needless and avoidable bloodletting among communities in the two States.
“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.
To rebuild trust and restore harmony to these conflict areas, President Tinubu urged all stakeholders in the areas to help foster genuine and long-lasting peace. He called for further collaboration among community leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, socio-cultural organizations, as well as the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and Christian Association of Nigeria.
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 the 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.
The crisis in the two states started early in the first quarter of this year with various security measures being taken by the federal and state governments.
