President Muhammadu Buhari on Tuesday gave a stern warning to suspected herdsmen and bandits carrying out attacks in some communities in the country, particularly in the North Central.
He said government would no longer condone any attack.
According to him, security agencies had been given a standing order to arrest and prosecute anyone illegally carrying arms or guilty of any attack.
The president who spoke during the inauguration of Comprehensive Special School, Lafia, Nasarawa State, also gave assurance that there would be security of lives and property.
Warning against reprisal attacks, Buhari said the government had put machinery in motion and deployed more resources to ensure that lives and property were secured.
His words: “I also want to assure the people of the North Central and indeed all Nigerians that the federal government is working day night to ensure peace and stability returns.
“We have deployed additional resources to all the affected areas to maintain law and order.
“I appeal to all Nigerians to refrain from reprisal attacks. The security agencies have standing order to arrest and prosecute any and all persons found with illegal arms.
“I will once again express my condolences and sympathy to all the affected victims of these barbaric acts.’’
It would be recalled that attacks by suspected herdsmen have been on the increase in the North Central area of the country, leaving many people dead and others seriously injured.
Between January 1 and 2, 2018, no fewer than 73 people were killed and several others seriously injured in one of such attacks in Benue State.
Although the government has since deployed security personnel to the area, the attack has continued.
Buhari arrived Lafia, capital of Nasarawa State on Tuesday on a state visit.
He was received on arrival by the Governor of Nasarawa State, Tanko Al-Makura and Governor of Plateau State, Mr. Simon Lalong.
Many other dignitaries were also present to receive the president.
No fewer than 4,000 officer and men of the Nigeria Police Force were deployed ahead of the visit.
Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Mr. Bello Ahmed, who disclosed this on Monday said it was to ensure a hitch-free visit of the president to the state.
The security arrangement, he said, was with sister security agencies.
According to him, no fewer than 3,000 officers of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) and other security agencies would be working with the police.
The security personnel, he stated, would be in strategic positions in the state.
He also appealed to members of the public to be law abiding and ensure a hitch-free visit.
