Malam Nasir El-Rufa'i, Governor of Kaduna State, has condemned the killing of two herders by a mob in the state's Birnin Gwari Local Government Area.
The condemnation was contained in a statement issued on Sunday in Kaduna by the Commissioner for Internal Security and Home Affairs, Mr Samuel Aruwan.
He claimed that security agencies reported that the mob kidnapped the two herders from security personnel based on unsubstantiated claims that they were involved in banditry.
According to him, the mob then lynched and burned the herders, despite the fact that they were not found to be complicit in the allegations.
El-Rufai expressed deep concern about the mob's violent actions and strongly condemned extrajudicial killings.
He emphasized the importance of using legal methods when confronted with any suspicion of criminality.
The governor urged the victims' families to remain calm and directed security agencies to conduct thorough investigations to find the perpetrators.
On any contentious matter, the governor called for consistent recourse to constituted agencies.
Meanwhile, the government has ordered a separate investigation into the behavior of some individuals and groups in the general area, who unintentionally complicate the security situation with insensitive public comments.
It stated that such actions have been deemed unhelpful by security agencies in ongoing operations against terrorists and bandits.
"The Kaduna state government is not opposed to comments on security challenges. The government's position remains that individuals and groups with useful information should work with security agencies rather than endangering citizens through ostensible advocacy," he said.