President Muhammadu Buhari has described the killing of 11 people in Gwer West Local Government Area of Benue State as tragic and heartless.
In a statement on Tuesday by the presidential spokesperson, Garba Shehu, the President also condemned the killing of nine persons in Ojukwu area of the Anambra state by gunmen.
President Buhari noted that the “innocent people” were killed through no fault of theirs, adding that such violence is unacceptable, adding that such attacks cannot be allowed to continue.
Buhari also cautioned Nigerians against the “temptation of taking the law into their hands in the name of revenge because there are no winners in the cycle of violence, only losers”.
He commended the police and other law enforcement agencies for their prompt response in averting the escalation of the violence, and urged them to put in every effort to apprehend perpetrators of the attacks.
The President, however, Buhari also condoled with the families of the deceased and the government of Benue and Anambra states.
He said: “I totally condemn this latest unprovoked violence and counter-attacks on innocent people that had nothing to do with the cause of the violence.
“Violence on innocent people by anybody and any group is unacceptable and indefensible.
“Hate and bigotry have eaten so deeply and violates the sanctity of life. If we allow this culture of violence to go unchecked, such mobs would destroy law and order.”
He urged leaders of ethnic and religious groups “to play their own roles constructively in controlling their followers or members, in order to support the government’s efforts for sustainable peace”.
