President Muhammadu Buhari yesterday condemned the killing of at least 16 Nigerians, who were on Islamic pilgrimage to Kaolak in Senegal, by Burkina Faso’s soldiers, while passing through the country.

Reports have claimed that the Nigerian pilgrims, who were in a convoy of luxurious and mini-buses, were flagged down by the Burkinabe soldiers, who asked the passengers to disembark from the vehicles, randomly selected some and summarily shot them to death.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Mallam Garba Shehu, said the President said Nigeria is awaiting the outcome of Burkina Faso government’s investigation into the killing, suggesting a plan to push for the prosecution of the killer-soldiers.

“President Muhammadu Buhari has received the tragic news of the murder of a number Nigerian Muslim pilgrims on their way to Kaolak, Senegal, when the buses conveying them came under gun attack in Burkina Faso.

“The President expressed his condolences and prayed for the safety of other Nigerians stranded there.

“The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, through the Nigerian Embassy in Burkina Faso, is engaging with the Burkinabe authorities and awaits the outcome of their investigation of the unfortunate incident, and if necessary, to ensure that all culprits are appropriately sanctioned.

“The Nigerian Government will make every effort to secure the mortal remains of the deceased and the survivors of the attack,” the statement said.