The President has condoled with the families of citizens who lost their loved ones in the recent spate of killings in Benue State.

In a statement from the Senior Special Assistant to the president on media and publicity, Garba Shehu, the president stated that the rising levels of incidents especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country call for further collaboration with security agencies to curb its recurrence.

The president stated his disappointment and sadness to hear Governor Samuel Ortom, of Benue State, make a litany of accusations against his person and his government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state, saying no responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp.

President Buhari expressed deep pain by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.

He said 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 Governor Ortom. 

The president said those citizens regardless of their affiliations, who incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against fellow citizens and nation.

The president said Government will continue to keep security, police and the armed forces on their toes to be on top of their act in troubled parts of the country expressing optimism that the situation in the states will greatly be helped by everyone working together because that is the foundation on which progress and prosperity can be achieved.

He said Benue under the Ortom administration ought to cooperate with the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of national strategies programs in addressing underlying issues militating against peace, progress and development. 

This he maintained can still get done when the interest of the people is placed above all other interests.