President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the rise in ritual killings and deadly attacks against on-duty policemen and ethnic minorities, with the latest incidents reported in Enugu, Imo, Abia, Zamfara and Ogun states.

In a statement, President Buhari said incidents of ritual killings, hate crimes, and killing of law enforcement officers are aberrations.

While expressing the sympathy of the nation to families of the victims, President Buhari urged law enforcement agencies, state governments, local authorities, community and religious leaders to take lawful actions in preventing further incidents of this nature.

“I condemn these dastardly acts of violence and pray for the souls of the departed”, said the President, adding that the courts of the land must apply “the strictest of punishment under our laws to the perpetrators of these horrific crimes.”

Furthermore, the president reemphasized the need for all Nigerians to be their brother’s keeper and should see an attack, be it verbal or physical on anyone, as an attack on the very essence that keeps us as a nation.

Meanwhile, President Buhari has commended the government of Abia state for the actions it has so far taken on the incident a few days ago against traders at the New Cattle Market, in Ukwa Local Government Area of the state and appealed for calm.

He also expressed his sympathies to the families of those killed and those who lost their properties following the attacks.