President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness and grief over the death of an eight-month-old newborn in the recent violence in Plateau and Benue states in north-central Nigeria, describing it as “unfortunate.”

The Nigerian leader urged security agencies to go after the perpetrators of the killings, stressing that they must face the full force of the law.

In a statement signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Special Duties, Communications, and Strategy, Dele Alake, Tinubu said “It is most unfortunate that in this orgy of violence, an innocent eight-month-old baby in Farin Lamba community of Vwang District, Jos South Local Government, died in a conflict she knew nothing about.”

“A major consequence of perennial conflict is always the tragic loss of innocent lives.

To build virile, peaceful and prosperous communities demand tolerance and forgiveness for every perceived wrongdoing,” the president said.

”To rebuild trust and restore harmony to these conflict areas, President Tinubu urged community leaders, religious leaders, traditional rulers, socio-cultural organisations as well as the leadership of Arewa Consultative Forum, Jama’atu Nasril Islam, and Christian Association of Nigeria to work together to help foster genuine and long-lasting peace.

“While reaffirming his government’s strong determination to stamp out violent crimes and all forms of criminalities everywhere in Nigeria, the president has directed security agencies to fish out the masterminds of the dastardly acts to face the full wrath of law.

“He, however, charged the governments of Plateau and Benue States and emergency response agencies to provide support and immediate relief to victims who have been displaced as a result of the conflicts.”

In a renewed wave of attacks over the weekend, unidentified armed men killed at least eight persons including an eight-month-old infant, in Farin Lamba, a community in Vwang District of Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State, on Sunday.

The incident happened barely two days after another attack on Sabon Gari, a hamlet in the Mangu Local Government, left numerous people dead and houses burned.