16th August, 2021
… as Ondo Govt delegation meets Fulani community
The death toll from the attack that happened in Rukuba area of Plateau, Jos North Local Government on Saturday has reached 28 and many are still missing.
The victims who were mostly Fulani from Ondo State had attended an annual Zikr (prayer session) and celebration of the Islamic New Year held at the Dahiru Usman Bauchi Mosque in Bauchi and were travelling in a convoy of five 18-seater coaster buses, when they were attacked.
Police authorities have identified the perpetrators and described them as “suspected Irigwe militia,” but Irigwe Development Association said the attack was not carried out by Irigwe youths.
According to Bala Umar, the immediate past SSA to Ondo State Governor on Hausa/Fulani matters, the death toll has reached 28 while 11 victims are in critical condition at the hospital.
Umar made this known while welcoming Governor Rotimi Akeredolu’s delegation to the Fulani community in Ikare and Ikarimu who came to pay a condolence visit.
The delegation was led by Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, the Deputy Governor of Ondo State.
Umar added that 33 people have also been discharged from the hospital, while some are still missing out of the 91 people who made the journey.
“Most of these Fulani you are seeing here are just sitting Fulani, some are born here, some have all their children here and are they are schooling here as well.
“These are peace-loving Fulani, and it is unfortunate this incident happened to them.
“The report reaching us from Jos, from State Chairman of Miyetti Allah is that 28 people are confirmed dead and 11 are in critical conditions, while 35 have been discharged. 91 people embarked on this journey and that is how they go every year.
“Some are still missing till this moment,” he added.
Initial information from the security agencies said 23 people were killed and many were in the hospital.
Meanwhile, thirty-three suspects have now been arrested in connection with the killing while another 33 victims from the waylaid convoy of five buses have been rescued.
The Inspector General of Police, IGP Usman Alkali Baba, gave the update on Monday, disclosing 13 more arrests after the initial 20 suspects were arrested.
Speaking to journalists after meeting with the Hausa/Fulani community, Aiyedatiwa said the Governor sent the delegate to identify with the people because they are residents of Ondo State.
“The people that are affected are residents of Ondo State and by extension, they are our people. Some are born here and they don’t know any other state than Ondo State as their state of resident while some migrated here over 40 years.
“As a government, one of our duties is to protect all and sundry, those who are here and even visitors, we need to provide security for all and we believed we need to visit the families, the communities that were affected to commiserate with them.
“So this is a condolence visit to identify with the people that what has happened is not just to the immediate family or the community only, it also affected the government because we represent the people.
“For the families of those that have died from the incident, all we can do is to pray for them that God will give them the fortitude to bear the loss,” he added.