President Muhammadu Buhari has unreservedly condemned Monday’s attack on Ukpabi Nimbo in Enugu State and similar such acts of extreme violence against communities in other states of the Federation.
In a statement issued by spokesman Garba Shehu on Wednesday, the president responded to the subject of continuing reports of attacks by "herdsmen" on communities across the country, and again assured Nigerians of his administration's continued commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in all parts of the country.
“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,” the spokesman said.
He added that 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 that he Armed Forces and Police have clear instructions to take all necessary action to stop the carnage.
Mr. Shehu further stated that 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.
He disclosed that President Buhari was scheduled to meet with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi later in the day 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,” the presidency concluded.