The European Union has urged the Federal government to bring to justice, perpetrators of the recurrent clashes between herdsmen and farmers in Nigeria.
The EU, in a statement by its Heads of Mission in Nigeria, said this is the necessary first step towards creating peace in the country.
The clashes have spread across the country and resulted in hundreds of deaths recently in Benue, Taraba and Kaduna states without anyone yet being prosecuted by the authorities.
The EU said it is alarmed by “the escalating and disturbing killings” and called for urgent measures that would allow Nigerians to live together in peace and security in the country.
“While we welcome the visit of President Buhari to affected states, we encourage the government and all stakeholders to engage decisively in order to promote a constructive dialogue with the aim of finding viable solutions and sustainable economic policies that would permit all to live in peace, whatever their ethnicity or religion.
“As a first step, the perpetrators of violence must be brought to justice,” the statement said.
The EU expressed its support “to the Nigerian government and people in their fight against violence in all its forms and expresses its condolences and sympathy to the families of those killed and injured.”
President Buhari is currently on a tour of the states most affected by the conflict. Already, he has visited Taraba and Benue states.