Plateau killings: Attack on Yelwa Zangam callous, barbaric — JNI

The Plateau State Chapter of Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI) has described Tuesday’s midnight attack on the Anaguta community of Jos North Local Government Area of the state as callous, barbaric and inhuman.

About 37 members of Anguta were reportedly killed in the attacks.

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The group, in a statement signed by its Secretary-General, Sani Mudi, and made available to journalists in Jos under the leadership of the Emir of Wase, Alhaji Muhammad Sambo Haruna, said it was disturbed by the attack. It called on residents of the state to remain calm.

Parts of the statement read, “We are disturbed at not only the wanton killings, but the alarming figures are frightening and depict high levels of callousness, inhumanity, and barbarism. We extend our sympathies and condolences to all those who lost loved ones and pray for God to give them the fortitude to bear the losses.

“We appeal to all Plateau citizens and Jos, in particular, to remain calm and live with one another peacefully. We urge everyone to be law-abiding and never take the law into their hands.”

Meanwhile, the group has condemned the recent statements by the TEKAN/ECWA bloc of CAN, calling for the removal of GOC 3 Division, Maj Gen, Ibrahim Ali, who is the Commander of the Operation Safe Haven (OPSH).

The group said, “We see this as diversionary and a desire to take us back to the days of needless confrontation along faith lines, with the attendant consequences to the ultimate goal of attaining peace. We therefore reject such calls and appeal to TEKAN/ECWA bloc to avoid confrontation and embrace the path of peace.

“We need to remind TEKAN/ECWA bloc that we had lived with non Muslim security heads in the state for long and therefore do not see the appointment of a Muslim GOC as a threat to peace in Plateau.

“Utterances capable of inciting the people to take up arms under the guise of defending themselves will only lead to lawlessness and further bloodshed. This should be avoided at all costs.

“Faith leaders should endeavor to sustain the bridges of understanding built by our worthy predecessors, some of whom had gone to the great beyond, through understanding and collaboration, the fruit of which we are enjoying now; which some evil-minded ones are trying to undo,” it added.