President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed disappointment and sadness over the attack on his administration by Benue State Governor, Samuel Ortom.  

President Buhari, in a statement issued on Thursday by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, stated that Ortom ought to corporate with the Federal Government in the implementation of a number of national programmes to address the underlying issues affecting peace, progress and development of the country, and not to castigate him (Buhari).

The Presidential Aide wrote: “The President states that the rising levels of incidents, especially the killings and violence in various parts of the country call for further collaboration with security agencies.

“He also states his disappointment and sadness to hear Samuel Ortom, the Governor of Benue State, make a litany of accusations against his person and his government following the recent unfortunate incidents in the state,” the statement reads.

“No responsible government takes pleasure in such events as the killing of the military and that of innocent citizens taking refuge in an Internally Displaced People’s camp.

“President Buhari is deeply pained by the terrible acts of violence happening not only in Benue State but also in other parts of the country and expects that the law enforcement agencies will go to every possible extent to catch the perpetrators of these heinous acts and bring them to justice.

“The lives of fellow citizens should not be desecrated by deploying them in political diatribe which unfortunately appeared to be the intent of the string of emotional attacks and blame laid at the doors of the President for those killings by Governor Ortom.

“President Buhari took an oath to defend the life and property of every citizen, a duty he takes seriously and is committed to ensuring.

“Those citizens, regardless of their affiliations, who either incite, sponsor or are proven to be abettors of these atrocities will face the law squarely and be answerable for their crimes against our fellow citizens and nation.”

He said while the president will continue to keep security agencies on their toes, there is a need for cooperation to promote peace.

Buhari, therefore, urged the governor to place the welfare of the people above all other interests.