IBUKUNOLUWA KING-OKUNEYE
Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has stated that Governor Simon Lalong’s apology over the 22 Muslim travellers that were killed in his state would be accepted if he allows a free and fair trial of the 23 suspects detained in connection with the killing.
No less than 22 Muslims were reported killed on August 14, 2021, by hoodlums along Plateau State.
The killings were condemned by Nigerians, including the Governor of Plateau State, Governor Simon Lalong. The Governor further apologised over the incident.
But MURIC in a statement by its Director on Monday, Professor Ishaq Akintola asked the governor to extend his apology to the government and people of Bauchi State and Nigerian Muslims in general.
He stated that these are the people whose sensibilities have been most hurt by the senseless attack and they needed assurances that it will not be repeated.
“A special delegation to Bauchi to condole with Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi whose members were brutally murdered will not be out of place,” he said.
According to him, “MURIC joins Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi in demanding compensation for the victims’ families. All the victims of the unprovoked attack were breadwinners for their families.”
The statement further said that Lalong must take his hands off the trial of the 23 suspects arrested over the killings, adding that, “we will frown at any interference, indication of interest or deliberate action or inaction capable of delaying or derailing the course of justice through the office of the attorney general or unnecessary transfer of the judge handling the case or any other means”