President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday vowed that the terrorists who massacred scores of civilians in Plateau State communities will be apprehended and face severe punishment under the law.
Terrorists had from Wednesday and Thursday nights, attacked Manguno, Daffo, Josho and other communities of Bokkos Local Government Area (LGA ) of the State, killing over 50 persons, destroying houses and other properties.
The President extended his condolences to the families of the victims in Ruwi, Hurti, and Tadai communities in Bokkos Local Government and those from Manguna and Dafo villages, where the terrorists launched brutal attacks, resulting in the loss of lives and the destruction of properties.
This is just as Governor of Plateau State, Caleb Mutfwang, said the ongoing attacks and killings in the State is a coordinated crime sponsored by conflict merchants and not farmer-herder clashes.
Tinubu, in a statement by Presidential Spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, commiserated with the Government of Plateau State and Governor Mutfwang, urging the affected communities to cooperate with the authorities and security agencies by volunteering information to catch the perpetrators and secure their communities.
He assured Governor Mutfwang of his support in ending this spate of wanton bloodletting on the Plateau.
He directed the National Emergency Management Agency to work with state authorities to provide necessary support to the victims and bring immediate relief to the affected communities and those wounded during the attacks. NEMA will work closely with the state to ensure that affected communities rebuild and recover.
The President stated: “The report of another violent attack in communities in Plateau State by mindless gunmen saddens me. The latest attacks on defenceless citizens are unacceptable. I have directed security agencies to hunt down the attackers, and they will face severe punishment when apprehended. These intermittent attacks should have no place in our country at a time when we are working so hard to restore peace and order in all parts of our country. This unfortunate incident will never dampen and slow us down in our duty to protect every Nigerian citizen. Instead, we will work harder to exterminate forces of evil wherever they are lurking in our country.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the victims’ families and all those affected by this senseless violence. No community should have to endure such tragedy. We all must unite to foster peace and stability. I urge all citizens—regardless of ethnic, religious, or political affiliations—to uphold the shared humanity that binds us all, embrace peace and reject retaliation.”
Governor Mutfwang, who spoke during the Fashion and Arts Exhibition organised by the Tincity Fashion Week titled “The Plateau Experience” on Friday night in Abuja, insisted that the attacks were a well organised criminality, promising that the government and security agencies had put measures in place to forestall future occurrence.
“I want to thank all of you who are here to support and honour Plateau with your presence in this event. We do not take this show of solidarity lightly. We contemplated suspending this event due to the current security situation in the state, but we decided not to allow the situation ruin the good things we have to celebrate.
“And I must say that the aim of the enemy is to throw the state into gloom and mourning but we will rise above their intent and not give them what they want. For those who think that the current situation is a farmer-herder issue, let me disabuse your mind from that perception; it is a product of organised crime by malicious elements who do not want peace to reign in the State.
“I want to assure the good people of Plateau that God will give us victory over these miscreants and their end has come,” he said.
Mutfwang, who commended the organisers of the exhibition, said that the event had placed Plateau on the world’s map by promoting its tourism and business potentials.
Earlier, Mr Chuwang Pwajok, the General Manager of the Plateau Tourism Board, described Plateau as a goldmine for not only tourism but natural and mineral resources waiting to be explored.
Speaking on behalf of the organisers, Miss Christabel Bentu, commended the governor for his support to the tourism industry and the overall development of the state.
She also commended the economic drive and commitment of the current administration towards sustainable development in the state.