Former military head of state, General Yakubu Gowon (rtd) has called on President Muhammadu Buhari to identify arrest and deal with the culprits responsible for the various killings across the country perpetrated by suspected bandits and herdsmen.

General Gowon, who was speaking while in Katsina State for a 2-day North West zone Nigeria Prays event, also called on government to bring justice to all those affected by the incidence. He said Nigerians needed to come together and condemn all forms of animosity among her citizens, including bloodletting, clashes, and hate speech.

The former Nigerian leader further observed that if it were not for God’s mercy, the country would have been plunged into crises as result of the killings, as orchestrated recently in Plateau state where more than 100 people lost their lives.

He maintained that the Nigeria Prays project is aimed at praying for the peace, prosperity and security of the country, adding that prayers were able to solve problems faster than what generals and solders were able to do with weapons of war.

He said “We are gathered in the true spirit of worship to intercede fervently for our dear nation for God’s intervention in our affairs, particularly social, political and economic, and to douse hatred and animosity amongst our citizens’’.

“If not for God’s abundant mercy and grace, the nation would have been plunged into another round of crises’’.
“Let us be assured that our prayers are not in vain. I can say this with every authority that prayer can solve problems better and faster than generals and soldiers can do with physical weapons of war’’.

“I have no doubt in my heart that God will honor our collective prayers and intercession for our nation and heal our nation of insecurity.”

“We however call on the authorities to deal with culprits and bring justice to the grieved. We must rise to condemn needles bloodletting and clashes, hate speeches and all manner of evil,”

The event, which lasted for two days, is expected to be held in other parts of the country in the coming months.