The Secretary-General of Irigwe Development Association, Danjuma Dickson Auta, has condemned the killing of the Muslim travellers around Gada-biyu – Rukuba road of Jos North LGA of Plateau State.
He said the attack was not carried out by Irigwe youths.
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Auta in a statement said the association observed with dismay the unfortunate incident around Rukuba road “Where some hoodlums attacked innocent commuters which led to the loss of many lives and properties.”
“As a nation that is known for peaceful coexistence, we hereby condemn such act and disassociate ourselves from it, as it was carried out far from where our onwards journey was proceedings and was not carried out by any of our members,” he said.
“We read with dismay, press statement from the police and other security agencies alleging that the act was carried out by Irigwe youths and their sympathisers. We wish to make it clear that today the Irigwe nation had declared it a day of mourning and it is not in our culture to be involved in anything of such while we’re mourning.”
The group had the said Saturday to bury the last six residents killed last week in the village of Bassa in an attack by herdsmen.
“Therefore, we distance ourselves from the act and appeal for calm even as government is doing everything possible to restore peace in the area and the state at large, ” he added.
On Saturday, the spokesperson of the state police command, ASP Ubah Gabriel, accused the Irigwe group of killing the religious faithful.
25 persons were confirmed killed on Saturday’s attack.