Gov Lalong begs Ondo people for forgiveness over killing of 23 Ondo travellers at Rukuba

Plateau State Governor, Simon Lalong, has begged the people of Ondo for forgiveness over the August 14 killing of 23 Muslim travellers from Ondo, who were passing through Jos after attending a religious event in Bauchi.

Newsflash Nigeria had reported that not less than 22 persons were killed in cold blood following an attack by bandits along Rukuba Road in Jos North LGA, Plateau state.

The gunmen who attacked the travellers also injured fourteen others while a total of 34 others are still missing.

The travellers were part of worshippers who were on their way to Ondo state after attending the Islamic New Year prayers in Bauchi, when they were attacked.

But the Plateau State government on Saturday begged the Ondo government and the people of Ondo for forgiveness.

The apology is contained in a statement by the governor’s press and public affairs director, Makut Macham, on Saturday in Jos.

Mr Lalong sent a delegation led by his deputy, Sonny Tyoden, and accompanied by Mohammed Haruna, emir of Wase, a town and local government area in Plateau; the Yoruba community leader in Plateau, Jide Olagbemiro; and Plateau chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Nigeria (MACBAN), Nura Mohammad, among others.

The delegation went to console and deliver over 30 of the survivors of the attack, rescued by the security agencies, to the Ondo state government and their families.

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Pleading for forgiveness, Mr Lalong said the perpetrators acted on their own as they did not represent any religious, ethnic or social interest in the attack. He assured that the culprits involved will be brought to book as many arrests have been made.

Receiving the Plateau delegation, the Ondo State deputy governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said on receiving the news of the attack, the governor, Rotimi Akeredolu, immediately went to the cattle market to sympathise with the leadership of the Fulani.

Mr Aiyedatiwa said the Akeredolu administration was concerned about the welfare of all citizens irrespective of their backgrounds and appreciates Mr Lalong for sending a high-level delegation to accompany the people of Ondo back home.

Mr Akeredolu thanked Mr Lalong for his quick intervention and other proactive measures taken to prevent the situation from escalating.

The leader of the Fulani ethnic group in the South West, Kabiru Mohammed, assured that they have forgiven all in the interest of peace and stability of Nigeria.

He promised that there would be no reprisals as they were happy to see their brothers back in their midst. According to him, Nigeria is greater than any individual or interest groups.

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