President Muhammadu Buhari says he is pained beyond
words by the news of the new wave of killings on election eve in Kaduna
State, according to a statement by Senior Special Assistant on Media and
Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu.
President Buhari, who reacted to the reported killings in Kajuru
local government area, Kaduna State, described the incident as an act
of cowardice.
He assured that security forces would investigate and apprehend all those involved.
The perpetrators of this mayhem will not go unpunished, he said.
President Muhammadu Buhari
The president said this action will
not distract the nation from the elections starting on Saturday,
assuring that his government is determined to foil the designs of those
who are bent on disrupting the exercise.
The Kaduna state government had on Friday
evening, in a statement, confirmed that 66 persons were killed by
unidentified gunmen in Kajuru local government of the state.
The government condemned the killing of 66
persons in Kajuru LGA and has warned all communities against instigating
attacks or reprisals.
A government statement said that security agencies have been deployed to the area, while arrests have been made.
Security agencies today reported the recovery
of 66 bodies that were killed in attacks by criminal elements on various
dispersed hamlets in the Maro Gida and Iri axis of Kajuru LGA. The
settlements affected include Ruga Bahago, Ruga Daku, Ruga Ori, Ruga
Haruna, Ruga Yukka Abubakar, Ruga Duni Kadiri, Ruga Shewuka and Ruga
Shuaibu Yau.
Among the victims were 22 children
and 12 women. Four wounded persons rescued by the security agencies are
now receiving medical attention.
Government condemns the attacks and
commiserates with the families of the victims. Security agencies have
been deployed to the area and arrests have been made.
Government urges community, traditional and
religious leaders in the area to encourage residents to avoid any
reprisal attacks and to leave the matter in the hands of the security
and law enforcement agencies. The killings are being investigated and
residents are assured that indicted persons will be prosecuted.
Residents of Kaduna State are enjoined to
uphold peace and harmony, shun violence and allow the elections to be
held in an atmosphere of calm. Any suspicious activity should be
reported to the security agencies in person or through the following
lines: 09034000060 and 08170189999.
