Few days after he tasked the Nigerian Police and other security agencies to unveil those behind the killings in Yelwata, Benue state, President Bola Tinubu has again given a similar tall order to the nation’s security agencies to track down last weekend’s killers of 12 Kaduna state travelers in Plateaus state, as well as the remnants of the dreaded Boko Haran terrorists in the North West.
This is as the terrorists launched killer attacks in Borno and Kebbi states that led to the loss of several lives at the weekend.
Tinubu, who described the killing of 12 Kaduna state indigenes in Plateau state as barbaric and unacceptable, said the freedom of movement for all citizens is “non-negotiable” and urged security forces to ensure the arrest and punishment of the culprits.
Plateau state governor, Caleb Mutfwang also condemned the killings which he described as avoidable.
Mutfwang regretted that Mangu and its adjoining districts of Chakfem in Mangu Local Government Area and Mushere in Bokkos Local Government Area had, for over a month, suffered coordinated terrorist assaults resulting in daily casualties and mass displacements, plunging communities into mourning and distress, even as he explained that the prolonged attacks do not justify such a senseless act against innocent commuters.
“Today is a tragic day for us in Plateau State. I never imagined such a senseless act of violence could occur within our borders, especially considering the commendable efforts of our youths in this community and neighbouring districts who have consistently risen to support security agencies in defending against criminal incursions.
“It is deeply disheartening that the same youths who have shown courage and patriotism would turn around and take the law into their own hands. This is utterly unacceptable, and the government will not sweep it under the carpet,” the governor said.
Reacting to the killings, President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, on Sunday, directed the Nigerian Police Force (NPF) to work with other security and intelligence agencies to ensure those responsible for the attack were held accountable.
The President, who expressed his condolence to the victims’ families as well as the people and government of Kaduna State, called for calm, as he promised not to allow the dastardly act to go unpunished.
“The Government of Plateau State must take decisive action in handling these vicious cycles of violence. The state government must work with security agents to get to the root of this recent incident and use it as a deterrent against future occurrences.
“Freedom of movement by all citizens is non-negotiable. We will not tolerate any attempt by anyone or group of people to curtail that fundamental freedom through acts of extreme violence and fear,” the president noted.
President Tinubu similarly expressed anguish over the suicide bombing that killed many in Konduga, Borno State, at the weekend, describing the attack as cowardly.
He urged security agencies to double their efforts in routing remnants of the Boko Haram insurgents who resort to attacks on soft targets as a diversionary tactic.
President Tinubu condoled with the Government and people of Borno State over the incident and directed the National Emergency Management Agency to support survivors.
Similarly, Kaduna state Governor Uba Sani of Kaduna State, while condemning the killings, vowed that the Kaduna State Government would not leave any stone unturned until the criminals were hunted down and brought to justice.
“We must put a stop to the nefarious activities of non-state actors. There is no justification for anybody to attack any citizen of Nigeria in any part of the country. This madness must stop. Enough is enough,” the governor said.