‘President Buhari unreservedly condemns the attack on Ukpabi Nimbo on other such acts of extreme violence against communities in other states of the Federation’, so stated a press statement made available to elombah.com this afternoon.
The Pan- Yoruba Socio-Political Group, Afenifere had on Tuesday lashed out at the Federal government for being indifferent to the wanton killings by the Fulani herdsmen going on across the country. Pointedly, the group wondered why government through the Information Minister Lai Muhammed said it was working silently on the matter while killings were done openly by the herdsmen.
Other well meaning Nigerians had also condemned President Muhamamdu Buhari’s silence on the attack by his fellow Fulani kinsmen insinuating that his body language supports the herdsmen incursions.
Fulani herds men had on Monday invaded Ukpabi Nimbo, a community in the Uzo-Uwani area of Enugu State. Available reports indicate up to 50 people may have died in the attack.
In a STATE HOUSE PRESS STATEMENT titled ENDING UPSURGE OF ATTACKS ON COMMUNITIES BY HERDSMEN NOW A NATIONAL PRIORITY signed by Garba Shehu, SSA to the President (Media & Publicity) dated April 27, 2016 and made available to elombah.com the president stated:
“Following continuing reports of attacks by “herdsmen” on communities across the country, particularly Monday’s attack on Ukpabi Nimbo in Enugu State, President Muhammadu Buhari assures all Nigerians, once again, 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 on 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 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 on the Buhari Administration’s agenda for enhanced national security and the Armed Forces and Police have clear instructions to take all necessary action to stop the carnage.
“In keeping with the President’s directive, the Inspector-General of Police, 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 Ukapbi Nimbo to personally oversee investigations into the attack on the community and ongoing efforts to apprehend the culprits.
“Meanwhile, President Buhari is scheduled to meet with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi later today to receive further briefing on the attack on Ukpabi Nimbo and discuss additional measures to forestall similar attacks and restore public confidence.
“The President urges all Nigerians to remain calm and 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.”
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