*** Osinbajo Visits Plateau, Says Perpetrators Won’t Go Unpunished
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The United States of America has strongly condemned the attacks in Plateau State in which no fewer than 86 people were killed and several others injured.
The US in a statement by Heather Nauert, Spokesperson for the US Department of State, said the perpetrators of the attacks should be brought to justice.
The statement said: “The United States condemns in the strongest possible terms the killing of civilians and destruction of property in Nigeria’s Middle Belt region over the weekend.
“We are concerned by the recent increase in armed violence against civilians and call on all political and community leaders to lend their voices to peace and to work together to find lasting solutions to these rural conflicts.
“We join President Buhari and others in sending our deepest condolences to the affected communities, and in the desire to see the perpetrators brought to justice and to prevent further violence.”
According Terna Tyopev, the spokesman of the Plateau State Police Command, 50 houses, two cars and 15 motorcycles were burnt in the attacks by herders.
The herdsmen were reported to have invaded Razat, Ruku, Nyarr, Kura and Gana-Ropp villages of Gashish District in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area, where the deaths occurred.
The Plateau State Government has imposed a dusk to dawn curfew in Riyom, Barkin Ladi and Jos South local government areas following the attacks.
President Muhammadu Buhari condemned the attacks, describing the incident as “very painful and regrettable”, and warned that the government would not rest until the assailants were brought to justice.
Vice President Yemi Osibanjo, on Monday, visited Plateau following attacks that left scores of people dead.
It would be recalled that within the last two days over 80 persons were killed in the state from attacks on nine communities.
Osibanjo, who was in the state to assess the situation and interact with leaders in the state, said perpetrators of the heinous crime would not only be arrested but be made to face justice.
He said that Special Forces have been deployed to restore peace in the state.
“The Inspector General of Police has deployed more personnel to Plateau and the Chief of Defence Staff has announced this morning that Special Forces will be deployed to Plateau.
“The Special Forces would complement the Operation Safe Haven’s effort that has been keeping peace in the state,” he said.
The vice president expressed sadness over the development.
“The president has said in his statement that whatever it takes, those that committed the heinous crime will not only be arrested but made to publicly face justice,” he said.
He said that the Federal Government was taken aback because in the last three years, Plateau had become an example of how to restore peace.
Osibanjo urged all leaders to show restraint in what they say and do.
According to him, the leaders should avoid things that would create situations that would be beyond control.
Gov Simon Lalong, in an address, condoled with the families of those who lost loved ones and property.
Lalong said that he was particularly sad with th