Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi

President Muhammadu Buhari says ending the recent upsurge of attacks on communities by herdsmen reportedly armed with sophisticated weapons is now a priority of his administration.

A statement conveying the President’s reaction was issued today by senior special assistant, Garba Shehu, in the wake of the attacks by herdsmen on defenceless people of Ukpabi-Nimbo community in the northern part of Enugu state. No fewer than 20 people were killed by the fully armed herdsmen.

In pursuit of the urgency of the herdsmen menace, the president has asked the Inspector-General of Police and heads of the nation’s other security agencies to take urgent steps to fully investigate the attacks, apprehend the perpetrators and bring them to justice.

President Buhari is also scheduled to meet with Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi later today to receive further briefing on the attack on Ukpabi Nimbo and discuss additional measures to forestall similar attacks and restore public confidence.

President Buhari has assured all Nigerians of his administration’s continued commitment to ensuring the safety of lives and property in all parts of the country.

President Buhari unreservedly condemns the attack on Ukpabi Nimbo on other such acts of extreme violence against communities in other states of the Federation.

Acting on 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.