Tinubu condemns Plateau killings, orders manhunt for masterminds

President Bola Tinubu, on Tuesday in Abuja, described as “unfortunate” the killing of an eight-month-old infant in the recent violence in Plateau and Benue states, north-central Nigeria.

He directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the killings, insisting that they be made to face the full wrath of the law.

“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,” a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake, read on Tuesday.

In a fresh wave of attacks on Sunday night, assailants killed at least eight persons including an eight-month-old infant, in Farin Lamba, a community in Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Sunday.

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The development comes two days after another attack on Sabon Gari, a community in Mangu Local Government of the state, left several persons dead and houses burned.

Spokesperson of Berom Youth Moulders, Rwang Tengwong, said the attackers arrived in a Vectra vehicle at about 9:45 p.m. and shot sporadically; killing at least eight and injuring many more.

In the statement titled ‘Plateau killings: we must break this cycle of violence,’ President Tinubu expressed sadness and grief over the incident, condemning the killings in Mangu and parts of Benue State.

The President who described the festering reprisal attacks as “needless and “avoidable” said, “A major consequence of perennial conflict is always the tragic loss of innocent lives.”

“To build virile, peaceful, and prosperous communities demand tolerance and forgiveness for every perceived wrongdoing,” he added.

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 read.

He, however, charged the governments of Plateau and Benue States and emergency response agencies to provide support and immediate relief to victims who have been displaced as a result of the conflicts.