President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has expressed deep concerns over the spate of recent killings in Plateau state, with a charge to security chiefs to break the cycle of violence which he said, must stop.
He was specifically worried over the killings in Mangu local government area and other parts of Benue state.
The president raised the concerns Tuesday in a statement by his Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications and Strategy, Dele Alake.
He described as very depressing the rising reprisals, needless and avoidable bloodletting among communities in the two states.
The statement said: “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.
In the statement titled ‘Plateau killings: we must break this cycle of violence,’ Tinubu expressed sadness and grief over the incident, condemning the killings in Mangu and parts of Benue State.
“A major consequence of perennial conflict is always the tragic loss of innocent lives.”
He said: “To build virile, peaceful, and prosperous communities demand tolerance and forgiveness for every perceived wrongdoing.”
“To rebuild trust and restore harmony to these conflict areas, President Tinubu urged community leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, socio-cultural organisations as well as the leadership of the Arewa Consultative Forum, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and the Christian Association of Nigeria to work together to help foster genuine and long-lasting peace.
“While reaffirming his government’s strong determination to stamp out violent crimes and all forms of criminalities everywhere in Nigeria, the President has directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the dastardly acts to face the full wrath of the law,” the statement added.
He called on the governments of Plateau and Benue states as well as the emergency response agencies to provide support and immediate relief to victims who have been displaced as a result of the conflicts.
On Sunday night, some hoodlums killed seven persons including an eight-month-old infant in Farin Lamba, a community in Vwang District of Jos South local government area of Plateau state.
The tragedy came on the heel of similar attacks on Sabon Gari, a community in Mangu local government area of the state, which left several persons dead and houses burned.
A leader of Berom Youth Moulders (BYM),a pressure group, Rwang Tengwong, said the attackers arrived in a Vectra vehicle at about 9:45 p.m. and fired shots at their victims, killing eight and injuring several others.
Similarly, chairman of the Plateau chapter of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria(MACBAN) claimed 15 of its members were killed the state-controlled Operation Rainbow.