Buhari Breaks Silence, Orders Probe Into Agatu Killings

The clash which happened last week led to the death of no fewer than 300 persons in the state. The affected villages include Okokolo, Akwu, Ocholonya, Adagbo, Ugboku and Aila, which were completely burnt down by the attackers.

Buhari’s statement is coming days after the clash and few hours after Ekiti State Governor, Ayodele Fayose, condemned him for his continued silence over the incident.

A statement issued by Presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, on Sunday, said President Buhari ordered security agencies to get to the root causes of the problem. “We will act immediately.

“We will conduct an investigation to know exactly what happened. The only way to bring an end to the violence once and for all is to look beyond one incident and ascertain exactly what factors are behind the conflicts,” he said.

“We are all one nation and one people. There should not be any reason why Nigerians of any group or tongue cannot now reside with one another wherever they find themselves after decades of living together.”

The President further expressed condolences to the government and people of Benue State, particularly the people of the Agatu communities, assuring them that the government would do everything possible to ensure that no such incident ever occurred in their midst again.

“Once the investigations are concluded, we will act immediately to address the root of the problem,” he said.