President Bola Tinubu, who is on a working visit to France, has condemned waves of killings across communities in Plateau State, urging Governor Caleb Mutfwang to “address root cause” of the lingering crisis in the state.

In a statement by Bayo Onanuga, media aide to the president  on Monday, Mr Tinubu condemned the Sunday night attack that left over 50 persons dead in Zikke village of Bassa LGA, Plateau State.

“The ongoing violence between communities in Plateau State, rooted in misunderstandings between different ethnic and religious groups, must cease,” said Mr Tinubu, adding he has instructed security agencies to go after those carrying out the killings across communities in Plateau State.

“I have instructed security agencies to thoroughly investigate this crisis and identify those responsible for orchestrating these violent acts. We cannot allow this devastation and the tit-for-tat attacks to continue. Enough is enough,” the president said.

While commiserating with families of victims and the state government, Mr Tinubu charged Mr  Mutfwang to address the root cause of the crisis in Plateau State.

“Beyond dealing with the criminal elements of these incessant killings, the political leadership in Plateau State, led by Governor Caleb Mutfwang, must address the root cause of this age-long problem,” Mr Tinubu said.

He added, “These problems have been with us for more than two decades. We can no longer ignore the underlying issues. It is time to tackle them fairly and find a lasting solution. I have discussed these problems with the governor over time and offered suggestions for lasting peace.”

Sunday’s attack, in which over 50 people were killed in Zikke village of Bassa LGA, Plateau State, comes a week after Mr Tinubu vowed to ensure that gunmen raiding and killing across Plateau State communities are arrested and severely punished.

Amid a resurgence of attacks on communities last week, Mr Mutfwang had described the recent killings in the state as genocide executed by terrorists, adding that no fewer than 64 communities have been taken over by bandits.