We’re working hard to unmask those behind killing – Buhari

President Muhammadu Buhari has debunked insinuations in some quarters that his government has not done anything about the various herdsmen/farmers clash that has left over 160 Nigerians dead in the last four weeks.

In a letter read on Wednesday by Senate President Bukola Saraki, Buhari said the police is working “strenuously” to apprehend those behind the attacks.

Buhari also said the federal government was initiating measures to address the killings and other security challenges.  “I thank you for your letter referenced NASS/8S/R/01/33 dated 18th January 2018 and carefully studied the resolutions and comments there in. As I briefed you and the RT. Hon speaker when we met, several courses of action have been taken prior to the senate resolution.

“One, on Thursday 4th January, I sent the minister of interior and the deputy inspector-general of police in charge of operations for an on-the-spot assessment of the situation. Two, on Friday 5th January, the inspector-general of police briefed me verbally on the latest situation, calm had then been restored.

In the letter, Buhari disclosed that the Minister of Interior met with the governors of Adamawa, Kaduna, Niger, Benue, Taraba and Nasarawa together with the DG of the SSS, IG of Police, CG of Civil Defence, Minister of Agriculture and Rural development and the police Commissioners of the affected states in a bid to put in place adequate security measures.

“On Tuesday, 9th of January, at a session with Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue state during which in informed of police arrests of some suspects. In addition, I told him that I have instructed to speed up trial of the suspects and give wide publicity of the police efforts.

“At the instance of the governor, a meeting was held in the presidential villa on 15th with a wide cross-section of Benue personalities and frank and open discussions were held. Everybody appreciated the difficulties of this farmers-herders strife. I assured all of my commitment and assured justice would be done.

President Buhari said to infer that nothing has been done, is incorrect, adding that the police are strenuously working to apprehend the rest of the culprits of these heartless killings.

“Furthermore, I have instructed the IGP to relocate to Benue state and redeploy forces to the most sensitive towns. The federal government is initiating measures to address these and other security challenges, alleviate the consequence of these attacks and forestall reoccurrence. The senate resolution itemised in your letter would be taken into consideration and I’m instructing all relevant MDAs to factor them in their work.