President Muhammadu Buhari has warned the perpetrators of barbarous and wanton killings of innocent people in the country, particularly the South-East, to expect the toughest possible response from the security forces.
“I strongly condemn the wild, barbarous and wanton killings of innocent people in the South-East, as well as in other parts of Nigeria. The perpetrators of these deeply distressing attacks should expect the toughest possible response from the security forces,” the President intoned.
In the past weeks, the media has been filled with reports of various killing incidents allegedly carried out by the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed wing Eastern Security Network (ESN). Video recordings of these killings have also gone viral; a recent one was the video that showed the lifeless bodies of a Northern woman and her four children in Anambra State, suspected to have been killed by IPOB members.
Perpetrators of these heinous atrocities and their sponsors are testing the resolve of the Government and people of Anambra State but efforts are underway to fish out and bring to justice whoever is behind the criminal activities, Anambra State Governor, Charles Soludo, had stated.
The Presidency, in a series of tweets on Wednesday, also advised citizens to avoid hasty conclusions as expert agencies are verifying the factuality and veracity of the claims.
“The Presidency wishes to caution against any knee-jerk reactions, the creation of panic, disruption of lives and livelihoods, or even retaliatory violence following the viral videos of the alleged killings of non-indigenes by the Eastern Security Network (ESN) and its mother terrorist group, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“While expert agencies are now verifying the factuality and veracity of the claims that accompany the horrid pictures being circulated, we call on all citizens to avoid hasty steps or conclusions that could exacerbate the situation and on the contrary keep to a line of conduct that will help the law to take its proper course.
“The Presidency also cautions the public against the indiscriminate sharing of posts on social media to deny vested interests who seek to divide us and create disturbance the chance to do so.”
Meanwhile, President Buhari has reiterated that his administration will continue investing unprecedented amounts in rebuilding the national security architecture and laying the foundation for a safer Nigeria.
Troops Dislodge IPOB/ESN Hideout In Anambra, Recover Arms, Other Dangerous Weapons
