The Presidency has expressed disappointment over allegations against President Muhammadu Buhari by Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom following recent killings of soldiers, and civilians at an internally displaced persons’ camp in the state.
Presidential spokesman Garba Shehu in a statement on Thursday said no responsible government takes pleasure in such incidents.
Mr Ortom had called Buhari president of the Fulani, accusing him of being indecisive with dealing with his tribesmen, the Fulani, accused of committing crimes in many parts of the country.
Mr Shehu, however, said the president was deeply pained by the acts of violence happening not only in Benue but also in other parts of the country.
He again directed members of the law enforcement agencies to go to every possible extent to arrest the culprits and bring them to justice.
“The lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by deploying them in political diatribe which unfortunately appeared to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame laid at the doors of the President for those killings by Gov. Ortom,” the statement read.
”President Buhari took an oath to defend the life and property of every citizen, a duty he takes seriously and is committed to ensuring.
”Those citizens regardless of their affiliations, who either incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against our fellow citizens and nation.”
Shehu stressed the need for the Ortom administration to cooperate with the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of strategies and programmes aimed at addressing underlying issues militating against peace, progress and development.
Shehu quoted the president as expressing his condolences to the bereaved families.
