Ending Fulani herdsmen attacks a national priority- President says

chika ebuzor

April 28, 2016 8:47 AM

Buhari also assured all Nigerians of his administration's continued commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in all parts of the country.

President Muhammadu Buhari.

President Muhammadu Buhari on Wednesday in Abuja condemned the reported attacks by suspected herdsmen on some communities across the country.

A statement issued in Abuja by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the President particularly condemned Monday's attack on Ukpabi Nimbo in Enugu State

The President assured all Nigerians of his administration's continued commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in all parts of the country.

"President Buhari unreservedly condemns the attack on Ukpabi Nimbo and other such acts of extreme violence against communities in other states of the federation.

"Acting on the President's directive, the Inspector-General of Police IG) and heads of the nation's other security agencies are already taking urgent steps to fully investigate the attacks, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

"Ending the recent upsurge of attacks on communities by herdsmen, reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons, is now a priority of the Buhari administration's agenda for enhanced national security.

"The Armed Forces and Police have clear instructions to take all necessary action to stop the carnage,’’ the statement said.

According to the statement, the IG, the General Officer Commanding the 82nd Division of the Nigerian Army and the Director of the Department of State Security in Enugu State have visited Ukpabi Nimbo to personally oversee investigations into the attack on the community and ongoing efforts to apprehend the culprits.

The statement said that Buhari would be meeting with Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State to receive further briefing on the attack on Ukpabi Nimbo and discuss additional measures to forestall similar attacks and restore public confidence.

The President, the statement said, urged all Nigerians to remain calm and be assured of his administration's readiness to deploy all required personnel and resources to remove this new threat to the collective security of the nation.

chika ebuzor