BEVERLY HILLS, January 16, (THEWILL) – President Muhammadu Buhari, on Monday, met with Elders and leaders from Benue state to deliberate on the recent killing of 73 persons by herdsmen and to find lasting solution to violence in the state.

The President commiserated with all the victims of the attacks, saying relevant agencies had been directed to start catering for the humanitarian needs.

He, however, also urged the leaders to exercise restraint in the matter and asked them to accommodate their countrymen, in reference to the herdsmen residing in the state.

He assured that all the perpetrators of violence in the state will be made to face the wrath of the law revealing that his administration had already begun a process of finding a lasting solution to the perennial challenge of clashes between herdsmen and farmers around the country.

“Your Excellency, the Governor, and all the leaders here, I am appealing to you to try to restrain your people,” Presidential spokesman, Femi Adesina, quoted President Buhari as telling the delegation.

“I assure you that the police, the Department of State Security and other security agencies had been directed to ensure that all those behind the mayhem get punished.

“I ask you in the name of God to accommodate your countrymen. You can also be assured that I am just as worried, and concerned with the situation.”

At the meeting were Samuel Ortom, Governor of Benue State; Deputy Governor Benson Abounu, Tor Tiv Prof. James Ayatse, Ochi Idoma, former Senate President David Mark, Senator George Akume, Senator Barnabas Gemade, Gen. Lawrence Onoja (retd.), Speaker Terkimbir Kyambe and Senator Joseph Waku, amog others.