The Federal Government has vowed to deal with the perpetrators of violence in Agatu Local Government Area of Benue State, where hundreds of people were killed weeks ago by suspected herdsmen.

The warning came against the backdrop of claims last weekend by former Senate President, David Mark, that over 500 people were killed, while 10 communities were razed in the local government area.

The Minister of Interior, Abdurrahman Dambazzau, who gave the warning in a statement in Abuja, yesterday, said government would not hesitate to deal with those found culpable in the attacks on the communities.

President Muhammadu Buhari had earlier ordered an investigation into the killings that had also thrown up humanitarian problems in internally displaced persons, IDPs.

“Minister of Interior has received with shock the sad news of incessant attacks on innocent Nigerians in Agatu and other communities in Benue State by unknown gunmen,” the statement signed by the Chief Press Secretary to the minister, Osaigbovo Ehisienmen, read.

The statement said Dambazau had earlier directed the Inspector General of Police, Solomon Arase, to carry out an on-the-spot assessment of the situation in the communities, adding that the government would not relent in its responsibility to protect its people.

The statement said the perpetrators of the dastardly acts were “unwittingly testing the will and capabilities” of the government, and that the present administration would not fail in its duties to ensure the security and welfare of the people as enshrined in the constitution.

“The minister has, therefore, vowed to mobilize security forces to decisively deal with the perpetrators of these dastardly acts.

“To this end, the nation’s Interior Minister has directed the Inspector General of Police and other heads of security agencies under the ministry to synergize with other security services to speedily arrest this ugly trend and bring its perpetrators to justice.”