President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday evening directed the military and police to stop the killings in Plateau State after receiving reports of 20 deaths in a renewed reprisals.

However, the deaths recorded in the attack on Nkiye Dongwro Village in Miango District of Bassa Local Government Area of the state later increased to 29.

The attack was carried out by some gunmen who attacked a primary school where the natives were seeking refuge in an internally displaced centre.

The attack coming barely 24 hours after six people were killed in Ta’agbe village in the same district.

The attack was successfully carried out despite the dusk to dawn curfew imposed in the area while the security agencies are also occupying the same block alongside the natives that were attacked and murdered in the same block of classroom.

An eyewitness who is head teacher of the primary school where the incident occurred express dismay over the circumstances that culminated into the death of the people that were seeking refuge only to meet their death while looking for protection.

However, Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has summoned a security meeting including all chief of security agents as well as government officials to discuss the incessant attacks and probable solution to the security challenge.

Buhari in his reaction expressed sadness and regret over the reported killings and enjoined the security agencies to put a stop to it immediately.

A statement by the President’s Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Malam Garba Shehu, in Abuja, said that the President had instructed “the military and the police to bring the violence to an instant end

He said Buhari also directed security forces to draw up a plan to ensure that there were no further attacks and reprisal attacks by one group against the other”.

According to Shehu, the President was committed to the sanctity of Nigeria’s unity and enjoined Nigerians to live together in peace and harmony.

He said that the President also commiserated with the governor and people of Plateau and with those who lost their loved ones, friends and family.

“May God comfort them as only He can.”

•Based on reports by NAN and Channels TV

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