Former Vice President, Atiku Abubakar, has urged President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to keep to his word following the recent killing of dozens of residents in Benue State, barely 72 hours after assuring Nigerians that such attacks would not recur.

In a statement posted on Facebook on Monday, Mr Abubakar said another attack in Benue had claimed over a dozen lives shortly after the president gave assurances in Angwan Rukuba, Plateau State, that the violence would not be repeated.

“I wish to remind President Bola Tinubu to keep to his word that this will not repeat itself. It does appear that those words are hollow because, barely 72 hours later, another attack in Benue State claimed over a dozen lives,” he said.

Mr Abubakar added that Mr Tinubu, as Commander-in-Chief, must rise to the challenges of governance.

“I am also concerned, like all well-meaning Nigerians, about what is going on in a Nasarawa community, where families have fled on foot amid threats of attack. As if that were not enough, there was a fresh attack in Kaduna State at the weekend,” he added.

He stressed that the primary responsibility of government is to protect lives and property.

“The primary responsibility of the government is the protection of lives and property and the promotion of the welfare of citizens. Enough of this hollow rhetoric, Mr President. It is time to roll up your sleeves and get to work,” he said.

Mr Abubakar also condoled with the families who lost loved ones in the attacks.