Fish out the killers: Buhari speaks on massacre of 22 travellers in Jos

By Abankula

President Buhari has ordered security agencies to fish out those behind the massacre of 22 people in Jos, Plateau capital on Saturday.

“In line with my commitment to protect all Nigerians, I have ordered our security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of this gruesome massacre of innocent travellers and bring them to justice,” President Buhari said.

His order to security agencies was conveyed by Malam Garba Shehu, the SSA media, in a statement issued on Saturday night.

In the statement, Aso Rock condemned the attack on the people travelling for a religious event.

No fewer than 14 people were also injured in the travelling group of 90, as the military announced 12 arrests.

Acknowledging the peace-making efforts of Governor Simon Lalong to reduce herders-farmers clashes, the Presidency noted that Saturday’s ambush was devoid of the usual complexion of conflict in the state.

This is “rather a direct, brazen and wickedly motivated attack on members of a community exercising their rights to travel freely and to follow the faith of their choosing”, the statement from the presidency said.

“With the evident preparedness of their attackers, it is clear this was a well-conceived and prearranged assault on a known target, location and religious persuasion of the travellers not an opportunist ambush.

“The Presidency offers condolences to the families of the victims and continues to liaise closely with the local authorities – including security, the police, and governmental agencies.

“These kinds of attacks on our country’s citizens are unacceptable, heinous, and stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of the great religions of our nation.

“The Presidency stands steadfast with both Christians and Muslims at this time in condemnation of this latest attack and expects and insists that justice is swiftly – but fairly – delivered to the perpetrators.

“As the facts of the sad incident continue to unfold, the Presidency commends the ongoing efforts by the Governors of Plateau, Bauchi, and Ondo; the Sultan of Sokoto His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar III and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as well as a number of notable Christian and Muslim leaders as they intensify efforts to calm down the situation”, the statement concluded.