President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the loss of lives following the herder-farmer clash in Benue State, saying the development is unacceptable.
This is as he promised that the federal government would give full support to Benue State government to investigate what occurred.
No fewer than 18 people, including two policemen, lost their lives following an inter-communal violence between nomadic herders and farmers in Benue State.
According to Paul Hemba, security adviser to Benue State governor, the clash broke out on Wednesday when herders stormed Gbeji farming village in Ukum district, shooting indiscriminately.
However speaking on the violence Buhari said the clash was unacceptable.
No one, he said, should attack anyone because of their way of life.
He added that neither should anyone take revenge on others for injustice done to them.
He said both should be held accountable for their actions, and justice delivered.
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The statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, quoting the president reads:
“President Muhammadu Buhari and all his administration condemn the recent attacks in Benue State.
It is unacceptable for lives to be taken by herdsmen and farmers alike.
“No one should attack anyone because of their way of life. Neither should anyone take revenge on others for injustice done to them. Both should be held accountable for their actions, and justice delivered.
“It is equally unacceptable for the lives of those merely practising their duties as police officers and government officials to also be lost. Government will hold those that took those lives to account.
“There are many times when President Buhari and Governor Ortom of Benue State have disagreed politically. But, today, the President puts all these aside, to reach out to the Governor to express the heartfelt condolences of the nation for what has occurred in recent days.
“The President pledges the full support of the Federal administration in assisting him, his State government, and people of Benue with resources to investigate what has occurred.
“When tragedies like this occur, we must remember first and foremost that we are all Nigerians.
“Politics too often gets in the way of what is best for our nation. Too often, it divides us. As those who have been entrusted with leadership by our citizens, we have a duty to remember that, and do everything we can to bridge divisions and come together in the interests of all our people.”
