President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered an investigation into the clashes between herdsmen and indigenes of communities in Benue State.
The order was contained in a statement made available to journalists by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, today.
Shehu said the President expressed deep shock at the latest incident that happened during the past week, which led to hundreds of deaths in four communities in Agatu Local Government Area of the state.
He quoted Buhari as ordering security agencies to get to the root of the problem.
“We will conduct an investigation to know exactly what happened; the only way to bring an end to the violence once and for all is to look beyond one incident and ascertain exactly what factors are behind the conflicts,” the President was quoted as saying.
Buhari added that all Nigerians must learn to live together as one, in peace and unity.
“We are all one nation and one people. There should not be any reason why Nigerians of any group or tongue cannot now reside with one another wherever they find themselves after decades of living together,” he said.
The President further expressed his condolences to the government and people of Benue State, particularly the people of the Agatu communities, assuring them that the government would do everything possible to ensure that no such incident ever occurred in their midst again.
“Once the investigations are concluded, we will act immediately to address the root of the problem,” he said.
Reports had it that at least 145 persons had been killed in 25 villages in the local government area.
The attacks on the communities by herdsmen which started on February 22, 2016, are said to be ongoing.
The state governor, Samuel Ortom, had on Thursday lamented that the killings were getting out of hand.
He said the situation, which had led to the death of many people and the destruction of several settlements, had deteriorated to the stage that he decided to come and brief the Presidency.
Ortom spoke with State House correspondents after meeting Vice President Yemi Osinbajo behind closed doors at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
He confirmed that many people have been killed in the attacks while many other people from the affected areas have been turned to refugees.
He said he could no longer sit back in the state and watch the ugly events unfold without seeking help from the Federal Government.
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