NSCIA, CAN condemn Plateau killings, warn against reprisals

The Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) have condemned the killing of 22 travellers in Plateau state.

The victims were returning from Bauchi to Ondo state after attending an Islamic function when they were attacked along Rukuba road, Jos North LGA.

Twenty-two people were killed in the attack while over 10 others sustained injuries.

Eight of the travellers are said to be missing.

Reacting to the incident on Sunday, the NSCIA, in a statement by Zubairu Usman-Ugwu, appealed to Muslims to be calm and not take the law into their own hands.

The council said it was monitoring investigations on the incident and will ensure that justice is served.

It said no human life deserves to be wasted on any grounds, be it religious or ethnic.

“In the meantime, while efforts are on to locate the eight missing Muslims, the council urges the security agencies to fish out all the perpetrators of the dastardly acts and ensure that adequate justice is done,” the statement reads.

On its part, the Plateau chapter of CAN described the killings as unacceptable.

In a statement on Sunday, Polycarp Lubo, CAN chairman in Plateau, asked security agencies to fish out the perpetrators.

The Christian body commiserated with families of the victims of the attack while calling on residents to shun reprisals.

“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,” Lubo said.

“The leadership of CAN totally condemns these attacks and pleads with security agents to ensure normalcy is restored.

“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.”

Usman Baba, inspector-general of police, said a crack team has been deployed in the state to probe the attack and restore normalcy.

He added that 20 suspects have been arrested over the killings while 33 victims of the attack have been rescued.