Jos killings: We’ve forgiven Plateau people – South-West Fulani leaders

Fulani leaders in Southwestern Nigeria Friday said they had forgiven Plateau people for killing dozens of their members in last Saturday’s attack in the state.

Daily Trust Saturday reports that 27 travellers lost their lives when they were attacked around the Gada-biyu-Rukuba Road in Jos, the Plateau State capital.

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Alhaji Kabiru Muhammed, who is the leader of the Fulani in the region, announced the pardon at the Ondo State Government House, Akure during a condolence visit to the Ondo government and handing over of the 36 survivors of the attack by the Plateau State Government.

Muhammed said, “The Plateau State Government has asked for forgiveness and we have forgiven you. Allah forgives whoever forgives. I want to assure you that they have forgiven all in the interest of the peace and stability of Nigeria. We are assuring you that there will never be reprisals as they were happy to see some of their brothers back in their midst. Nigeria is greater than anyone or his/her interests.”

Earlier in his remarks, the Plateau State deputy governor, Prof Sonny G. Tyoden, who led the state’s delegation during the handing over of the survivors, asked the people of Ondo to forgive Plateau people for the action.

Tyoden assured them that “Arrests have been made and the law would certainly take its cause. Plateau remains home for all and the government will not relent in protecting the lives of those who reside in the state and will also not spare criminals who are desirous of disrupting peace.”

The Emir of Wase, Dr Muhammad Sambo Haruna, who was among the delegation, asked the victims and their families to see the whole thing as an act of destiny from Allah, and as such, it couldn’t have been otherwise. He prayed for Allah to accept the ‘shahada’ of those who lost their lives.

Reacting, the Ondo State deputy governor, Lucky Orimisan Aiyedatiwa, said immediately reports reached them on the day of the incident, Governor Akeredolu placed a call to Gov Lalong to inquire about the fate of their indigenes and went to the cattle market to sympathise with their leadership.