.Buhari, Akeredolu, others mourn
ETIM EFFIONG
The Nigerian Police Force on Sunday said it had arrested 20 suspects and rescued 33 victims in the attack case of Rukuba community, PlateauState that occurred on Saturday, where 22 Ondo State-bound travellers were killed.
The travellers were said to comprise worshippers, who were on their way home, after attending the annual zikr prayer in Bauchi.
Reacting to the attack, police spokesperson, Mr Frank Mba, a Commissioner of Police, said Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, had ordered immediate deployment of a police intervention team in the state.
According to a statement he issued, the IGP condemned the violent attacks while calling for calm in the area.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, psc(+), NPM, fdc has ordered the immediate deployment of Police Intervention Team to Plateau State to carry out on-the-spot assessment and ensure enhanced, coordinated response to protect the community and boost public confidence in the affected area(s) of the state,” the statement read.
“The IGP, while condemning the incident, has called for calm and assured victims and relatives of the attack that the Police are working with the military, other security forces and the state government to ensure that all perpetrators of the unfortunate incident are brought to book.
“Meanwhile, the IGP noted that 20 suspects have been arrested in connection with the attack while 33 victims have been rescued.
“The IGP enjoined citizens in the affected area(s) to support the security forces deployed to the hotspot by providing useful information that will lead to the arrest of other perpetrators of the crime and forestall any further attack,” the statement read.
BUHARI REACTS
In the same vein, President Muhammadu Buhari has ordered security agencies to fish out the perpetrators of the gruesome massacre of 22 persons travelling along Rukuba Road in Jos, the Plateau state capital.
In a statement by the presidential spokesman, Mallam Garba Shehu, the President ordered the police and other security agencies to bring the killers to justice in line with his commitment to protecting all Nigerians.
The travellers were killed while 14 others got injured on Saturday, following an attack by gunmen suspected to be bandits.
The travellers were said to be part of Muslim worshippers who were on their way to Ondo State, after attending the annual zikr prayer in Bauchi.
Confirming the incident, the Plateau State Police spokesperson, Ubah Ogaba, said 21 victims were rescued while six suspects had been arrested in connection with the crime.
But according to the Presidency, President Buhari had condemned the attack on the travellers and expressed sadness over the murder of the 22 travellers.
Buhari, however, offered condolences to the families of the victims, and prayed that God would give them the fortitude to bear the irreplaceable loss.
The statement titled, “Presidency Strongly Condemns Hoodlum Attacks on Travellers”, read, “It is widely known that Plateau State has been one of the states affected by herder-farmer clashes, which have, in a significant way, been curtailed following the intense peace-building efforts of the administration of Governor Simon Lalong.
“However, to be clear, this is not an agriculturalist-on-pastoralist confrontation – but rather a direct, brazen and wickedly motivated attack on members of a community exercising their rights to travel freely and to follow the faith of their choosing.
“With the evident preparedness of their attackers, it is clear this was a well-conceived and prearranged assault on a known target, location and religious persuasion of the travellers, not an opportunist ambush.
“These kinds of attacks on our country’s citizens are unacceptable, heinous, and stand in complete contradiction to the teachings of the great religions of our nation.
“The Presidency stands steadfast with both Christians and Muslims at this time in condemnation of this latest attack and expects and insists that justice is swiftly – but fairly – delivered to the perpetrators.”
The Presidency commended the ongoing efforts by the Governors of Plateau, Bauchi, and Ondo; the Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence Sa’ad Abubakar III, and Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi as well as a number of notable Christian and Muslim leaders for intensifying efforts to calm down the situation.
AKEREDOLU, CAN, MIYETTI ALLAY FLAY KILLING
Ondo State governor, Mr Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) while mourning the death of the 22 travellers, however, said he was reliably informed that they were victims of mistaken identity.
A statement by Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Richard Olatunde, in Akure, the Ondo State capital, said the attack was “a case of mistaken identity”.
The statement read: “Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, just a few hours ago, received the unfortunate report of the Plateau State tragedy where some people believed to be indigenes of Ondo State were attacked.
“An unconfirmed number of deaths are believed to have been recorded while some are severely injured in the said attack. Their true identity will soon be unraveled.
“The Governor says from the report he received from his brother Governor in Plateau, the incident was a case of mistaken identity.
“The victims, according to preliminary reports, took a route where crisis between Muslims and Northern Christians had ensued for some time, and that they may have been possibly, mistaken for aggressors. “Accordingly, either of the two feuding groups in the area could be responsible in this regard.
“Governor Akeredolu hereby calls for calm among the people of the state, urging that nobody should take law into their hands,” Akeredolu was quoted as saying.
He particularly urged the people to refrain from any hasty colouration of the unfortunate incident.
“I have spoken with my brother Governor in Plateau, and he has assured me that the situation is under control.
“I want to plead with our people to remain calm. From the report I gathered, it is clear some were killed while many others who are injured have been taken to the hospital for medical attention.
“Let me again make it clear that I was informed by my colleague that it was indeed, a case of mistaken identity. I want to assure our people living in Plateau that they are not targets of any religion or ethnic crisis.
“While assuring that justice will be served, I want to plead again that we do not take law into our hands. Let us remain calm.
“I also want to commiserate with the family of all those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. We mourn the departed and feel the pains of their loved ones,” Akeredolu condoled.
Reacting too, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau chapter, condemned the killing.
In a statement on Sunday in Jos, CAN chairman in the state, Rev. Fr. Polycarp Lubo, urged security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.
“We wish to express deep pain over the recent attacks in Riyom, Jos North, Barakin Ladi and Bassa, leading to loss of lives and property.
“The leadership of CAN totally condemns these attacks and pleads with security agents to ensure normalcy is restored.
“Every human life is precious and the unlawful killing of any human being, regardless of their identity and affiliation, is unacceptable.
” We mourn with the families of those who lost their loved ones, as well as those who have been displaced or suffered harm of any kind.
“We urge security agencies to swiftly arrest all those involved, to bring an end to the needless killings,” he said.
Lubo said the association would continue to work toward ensuring peaceful coexistence in the state.
The Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association of Nigeria (MACBAN) has similarly condemned the incident.
MACBAN in a statement by its National Secretary, Baba Othman Ngelzarma, on Sunday in Jos, said the whereabouts of some of the commuters could not be ascertained.
“The ambush which occurred around 10.00am , also left several commuters wounded, while 40 others remain unaccounted for.
“The travellers were in a convoy of four buses, when they were attacked.
“MACBAN condemns this senseless violence on travellers.
“We urge security agencies to fish out perpetrators of this dastardly act and bring them to justice,” he said.
Ngelzarma commiserated with families of those who lost their lives and those injured.
He said there could be no winner in the senseless violence and that the circle of bloodshed must be stopped.