President Muhammadu Buhari, on Tuesday, admitted that hate and bigotry have eaten so deeply into some citizens, while condemning the recent attacks in the country under his watch,
In a statement signed by Presidential Spokesman, Garba Shehu, the President said that the inclination for people to take law into their hands “in the name of revenge”, will lead to “no winners… only losers”.
The President was reacting to various attacks in the country, which are still ongoing and becoming uncontrollable.
The statement reads: “I totally condemn this latest unprovoked violence and counter-attacks on innocent people that had nothing to do with the cause of the violence.
“Violence on innocent people by anybody and any group is unacceptable and indefensible.
“Hate and bigotry have eaten so deeply and violates the sanctity of life. If we allow this culture of violence to go unchecked, such mobs would destroy law and order.”
The President speaking further, urged Leaders of ethnic and religious groups “to play their own roles constructively, in controlling their followers or members, in order to support the government’s efforts for sustainable peace”.
He cautioned Nigerians against the “temptations of taking the law into their hands in the name of revenge, because there are no winners in the cycle of violence, only losers”.
The statement added that the “President sends his commiserations to the families of the bereaved, and the governments and people of Benue and Anambra States.
“He also commends the Police and other Law Enforcement Agencies, for their prompt response in averting the escalation of the violence, urging them to put in every effort to apprehend perpetrators of the heinous attacks.”