Months after an attack killed over 70 people on New Year’s Day in Benue State, President Muhammadu Buhari is set to visit the state, his office has said.
The president will also visit other states affected by terrorism, armed brigandage, and communal violence including Yobe, Taraba, Zamfara and Rivers.
Mr. Buhari has been criticised by many Nigerians for not visiting these states despite his government’s failure to protect scores of people who were killed in the violence.
Read the presidency’s statement announcing the visit below.
In view of recent terrorist attacks, criminal activities and communal clashes in some States leading to tragic loss of lives and kidnapping of 110 schoolgirls, President Muhammadu Buhari immediately tasked the Armed Forces and other Security agencies to compile comprehensive reports on the various incidents.
Having received and studied the Reports, the President has decided to undertake an on the spot assessment of the various occurrences and to meet and console the communities affected.
From today, March 5, he will visit Taraba, and subsequently Benue, Yobe, Zamfara and Rivers States.
President Buhari has been receiving daily briefings, and has been in constant touch with the Governors, and has been updated with situation reports.
The President calls on all Nigerians especially those in the affected areas to cooperate fully with the Security Agencies to enable them curb the spate of crimes, bring those responsible to justice and prevent further occurrences.