Buhari condemns killing of 25 travelers in Plateau

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack and killing of 25 travelers in Plateau State by bandits. The travelers were returning to Ikare, Ondo State, after their religious activities in Plateau State where they went for prayers.

Their vehicle was ambushed by bandits who killed 25 persons and injured others who escaped death.

The Nigerian President in a statement noted that it is widely known that Plateau State has been one of the states affected by herder-farmer clashes, which have, in a significant way, been curtailed following the intense peace-building efforts of the administration of Governor Simon Lalong.

The president, therefore, argued that “however, to be clear, this is not an agriculturalist-on-pastoralist confrontation – but 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 president decried that 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 travelers not an opportunist ambush.

The President, accordingly, offered condolences to the families of the victims, assuring that the federal government will continue 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 statement read in part.

The President, in his moralist leadership adventure,  declared his that he 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,”