Armed men kill 22 Ondo indigenous in Plateau
By Abib Salau, Jo’s
At least 22 indigenous people from Ondo State were killed by armed men in Plateau State on Saturday.
Irohinoodua correspondent in Jos heard that armed men opened fire on the Ondo indigenes who were travelling in buses for an Islamic event in Plateau State.
“No questions were asked. They rained bullets on them. It was a case of unprovoked attack” eyewitness, Alhaji Bade Lawal told our correspondent.
In a statement on Saturday the Ondo State Government confirmed the incidence saying that he was in touch with his Plateau State counterpart. He urged for calm asking the Yoruba people not to retaliate for the cold blooded murder.
To curtail any retaliatory action, Ondo state Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured people of the state that he was on top of the report of attack on indigenes of the state in Plateau state.
In the attack, 22 people were killed and 14 wonded. Police said some of the attackers have been arrested.
Akeredolu said he has spoken with the Governor of Plateau and that he has assured him 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.” Chief Press Secretary to Ondo State Governor, Mr Richard Olatunde,
“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.
He said further “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.
He said from report he received from the Governor of 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. He particularly, urges the people to refrain from any hasty colouration of the unfortunate incident.
The police through ASP Gabriel Ogaba said the victims were going back to Ondo after attending a religious event in Bauchi State. The police said “On 14th August, 2021 at about 09:28 hours, the Plateau State Police Command received a distress call that a group of attackers suspected to be Irigwe youths and their sympathisers along Rukuba Road of Jos North LGA attacked a convoy of five buses with Muslim faithful who were coming back from the Annual Zikr prayer in Bauchi State and heading to Ikare in Ondo State.
The police said 22 persons were killed and Fourteen injured in the attack.
“Upon receipt of the report, a team of Police personnel, the military and other sister agencies were immediately mobilised to the scene where 21 victims were rescued and six suspects arrested.
“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Edward Egbuka, along with the GOC 3-Division, Major General Ibrahim Ali, also visited the scene and ordered for a discreet investigation to fish out other perpetrators of this barbaric act at large.”
