ABUJA, APRIL 25, 2018 – President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday, April 24, 2018, reacted to the latest killings in Benue state, insisting that the perpetrators of the crime were clearly making attempt to stoke up religious conflict and possibly plunge our communities into endless bloodletting.
He who learnt of the killing of some worshippers including two priests at a Catholic church in Ukpor-Mbalom community in Gwer East Local Government Area of Benue State, reacted by describing the attacks as vile and satanic.
He expressed his condemnation through a statement authored by his Media Aide, Femi Adesina.
“I extend my sincere condolences to the government and people of Benue State, the Mbalom community, and especially the Bishop, priests and members of the St Ignatius’ Catholic Church, whose premises was the unfortunate venue of the heinous killings by gunmen.”
“This latest assault on innocent persons is particularly despicable. Violating a place of worship, killing priests and worshipers is not only vile, evil and satanic, it is clearly calculated to stoke up religious conflict and plunge our communities into endless bloodletting,” the President said.
Buhari noted that the country will not bow to the machinations of evildoers, adding that the assailants would be hunted down and made to pay for the sacrilege committed.
The killings came barely few days after an attack in Naka community, where two persons were feared dead and several houses burnt to ashes.
Benue state which is believed to be under siege by settling cattle herders have experienced unprecedented killings since January this year when the anti-open grazing policy took effect.
