By POLYCARP AUTA

Vice-President Kashim Shettima visited victims of Christmas Eve’s attacks on some communities in Bokkos Local Government Area of Plateau on Wednesday.

The vice-president sympathised with them over their losses and assured them that the Federal Government had put modalities in place to bring the perpetrators to book.

He said President Bola Tinubu was deeply affected by the mindless killings, adding that when Plateau bleeds, the whole nation shakes.

He assured the people that the Federal Government would ensure they got justice and end the circle of violence in the state.

Shettima decried that the ugly incident had shattered the joy of Christmas in all parts of the nation, adding that such would not repeat itself.

“My dear people of Bokkos, we are here to sympathise with you over the recent killings.

“You are not alone; this government, particularly the president is with you.

“The government is here to deliver justice which is the path to our collective unity and peace.

“We will not rest until you all access justice and end the security challenges confronting this state,’’ Shettima said.

He, however, charged Plateau people to be united and them to prioritise factors that bound them over what those that divided them.

Earlier, Plateau’s Gov. Caleb Mutfwang, who described the killings as mindless, unfortunate and barbaric, said he was broken by the incident.

Mutfwang, who thanked the vice-president for the visit, described it as a demonstration of Federal Government’s resolve to end security challenges confronting Plateau.

“We are here to sympathise with you and as governor of this state, my heart is so heavy.

“The visit by the vice-president is a clear demonstration of the political will to deal with the situation; the shedding of blood has to stop.

“On our part, we will do everything to find lasting solution to these killings, because I didn’t become governor to be burying people but to lead the living.

“We appeal to the Federal Government to fish out the perpetrators of the dastardly act and make them to face the full wrath of the law,’’ the governor said.

He noted that the attack would unite all political leaders in the state toward finding a lasting solution.

Mutfwang, who thanked the Federal Government for directing the National Emergency Management Agency to provide relief materials for the victims, promised to personally monitor the distribution of the items.

“I have met with the president and took many decisions. I won’t rest until these decisions are implemented.

“My visit to the president was to update him on happenings in the state and not to make merry.

“Also, I never said the current Federal Government lacks the political will to tackle the security situation in the country and I want the media to take note,’’ Mutfwang said.

The vice-president was companied on the visit by the National Security Adviser, Malam Nuhu Ribadu, and the Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Christopher Musa, among others.

Gunmen attacked 15 communities in Bokkos and Barkin-Ladi Local Government Areas of Plateau on Christmas Eve; killed 115 persons and destroyed 221 houses.

The assailants also destroyed eight vehicles and 27 motorcycles.

Three communities – NTV, Hurum and Darawat were attacked in Barkin-Ladi where 17 persons were killed.

Communities attacked in Bokkos Local Government Area were Ndun, Ngyong, Murfet, Makundary, Tamiso, Chiang, Tahore, Gawarba, Dares, Meyenga, Darwat and Butura Kampani. (NAN)

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