President Muhammadu
Buhari has appealed to the government and people of Benue State to
exercise restraint following the recent attacks on some communities in
the state.
The
President, who asked the people to accommodate their countrymen, also
assured them that all the perpetrators of violence in Benue would be
made to face the wrath of the law.
He made the appeal on Monday
while receiving a delegation of political leaders, traditional rulers
and elders of the state led by Governor Samuel Ortom, at the
Presidential Villa in Abuja.
“Your Excellency, the governor, and
all the leaders here, I am appealing to you to try to restrain your
people,” President Buhari said in a statement signed by his Special
Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr Femi Adesina.
“I assure you
that the Police, the Department of State Security and other security
agencies had been directed to ensure that all those behind the mayhem
get punished.
“I ask you in the name of God to accommodate your
countrymen. You can also be assured that I am just as worried, and
concerned with the situation,” he said.
President Buhari vowed
that all those involved in the conflict that culminated in the loss of
lives would not escape justice, including any illegally armed militia in
the state.
He further commiserated with all the victims of the
attacks, as well as the families who lost loved ones and properties,
saying the government would make efforts to ameliorate the situation of
all the victims.
The President informed the leaders that his
administration had already begun a process of finding a lasting solution
to the perennial challenge of herdsmen conflict with farmers and
communities around the country.
He said the Inspector General of
Police had also been directed to relocate to the state to provide
security for lives and properties and urged all Benue indigenes to trust
the security agencies and report all suspicious cases of movements in
the state.
On his part, Governor Ortom was hopeful that the
tension would be reduced with the Federal Government’s intervention to
find a lasting solution to the herdsmen attacks.
He also told the President that the leaders would depart the Aso Villa to “rebuild confidence” in the Benue people.
The
Tor-Tiv, Professor James Ortese Ayatse, informed President Buhari that
his entire domain had been thrown into mourning due to the incessant
attacks and asked him to “put an end to the gruesome situation.”
Also
present at the meeting were Benue State Deputy Governor, Benson Abounu;
former Senate President, David Mark; former Benue State Governor,
Senator George Akume; and Senator Barnabas Gemade.
Others include
former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice,
Michael Aondoakaa; as well as the Speaker of Benue State House of
Assembly, Terkimbir Kyambe, among others.
from channelstv.