•As Egypt, Gambia, Ghana presidents call, wish him well
From Juliana Taiwo-Obalonye, Abuja
President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned, in strong terms, Monday’s killings in Zaki Biam town in Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, by unknown gunmen, resulting in the loss of lives.
The president, who described the attack as wicked, has also directed security agencies to begin immediate investigation with a view to bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book.
The unknown gunmen were said to have invaded the yam market on 12 Bajaj motorcycles and four Toyota Corolla cars and started shooting at everyone in sight. Most of those killed were said to be traders and businessmen.
The attack, which reportedly started around 2p.m., resulted in several cars and a fuel station razed.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said President Muhammadu Buhari has commiserated with the government and people of Benue State over the attack.
Buhari, while sympathising with those who lost their loved ones, prayed that Almighty God will comfort the grieving families and grant the souls of the victims eternal rest.
Buhari also condemned the wanton killings in other parts of the country and challenged security and law enforcement agencies to rise to the occasion and end what he called “this blight on the image of the country”.
”We must condemn inhuman and unnecessary shedding of human blood all over the country. We seem to have lost value for human life, which is sacred. Man is the glory of God’s creation and nobody has the right to unjustly and unlawfully take another person’s life in a reckless manner,” Buhari said.
He enjoined all citizens to learn to live together in peace and brotherhood and not allow little misunderstandings to degenerate into heartless acts capable of straining the bonds of nationhood.
Meanwhile, three African Presidents from Egypt, The Gambia and Ghana called President Buhari separately, yesterday, to wish him well.
Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Femi Adesina, in a statement, said the president of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi called to wish Buhari well as well as congratulate him on the strides the nation had made in the campaign against Boko Haram and other security challenges.
“President el-Sisi, who also expressed the preparedness of his country to assist in Nigeria’s quest to overcome her security concerns, if needed, hoped the two countries will continue to partner in other areas of mutual interest,” the statement read.
The presidential spokesman said Gambian President, Adama Barrow called Buhari, on Thursday last week, to thank Nigeria for her leading role in his emergence as president of his country, and wished the Nigerian leader well.
Also, on Thursday last week, President Nana Akuffo-Addo of Ghana called Buhari to wish him good health and urged greater bilateral cooperation between the West African countries.
Buhari returned to the country on March 10 after spending 49 days in London on medical vacation.
While in London, the president received calls from the chairperson of the African Union (AU), President Alpha Conde of Guinea and King Mohammed VI of Morocco, both of whom wished him well.