Presidential spokesman, Garba Shehu says politicians in the country should be held responsible for the ongoing killings in the Middle Belt of the country.

In a statement released on Sunday, Shehu dismissed any opposition to President Muhammadu Buhari’s re-election bid.

He also dismissed the Third Force movement as amorphous, saying the opposition Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will require more than a decade to reform itself and pose as a credible opposition to any government.

“Today, government has irrefutable evidence that much as most of these killings are arising from herders-farmers attack, some of it is driven by politicians. The recent arrests by the army in Taraba State point to  clear political sponsorship and the kingpins, some of whom have been arrested have been handed over to the DSS for further investigation,” Shehu said.

He continued: “Others who are being sought have either gone into hiding or are pulling strings of blackmail to force the hands of government to abandon the search for them.

“It is clear by now that the Middle Belt killings even if they are not caused by the opposition are no doubt seen as a political opportunity to set the tone for the 2019 elections.”