How Indigenes Of Ondo State Were Ambushed In Plateau, Killed, Maimed – Gov Akeredolu; Police Command Tells The Gory Story

By Ayodele Oni

To curtail any retaliatory action, Ondo state Governor, Mr Oluwarotimi Akeredolu has assured people of the state that he was on top of the report of attack on indigenes of the state in Plateau state.

The Governor spoke just as the Plateau State Police Command, in a statement, narrated what happened, revealing that 22 people were killed, 14 injured, 21 rescued, and six of the attackers arrested.

A statement on Saturday by Akeredolu’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Richard Olatunde, allayed the fear and tension generated by reports of the incident, assuring that Governor Akeredoku was in contact with his colleague in Plateau state on the incident. The statement reads:

“Ondo State Governor, Arakunrin Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, SAN, just a few hours ago, received the unfortunate report of the Plateau state tragedy where some people believed to be indigenes of Ondo State were attacked.

“An unconfirmed number of deaths are believed to have been recorded while some are severely injured in the said attack. Their true identity will soon be unraveled.

“The Governor says from report he received from his brother Governor in Plateau, the incident was a case of mistaken identity.

“The victims, according to preliminary reports, took a route where crisis between Muslims and Northern Christians had ensued for some time, and that they may have been possibly, mistaken for aggressors.

“Accordingly, either of the two feuding groups in the area could be responsible in this regard.

“Governor Akeredolu hereby calls for calm among the people of the state, urging that nobody should take law into their hands. He particularly, urges the people to refrain from any hasty colouration of the unfortunate incident.

“I have spoken with my brother Governor in Plateau, and he has assured me that the situation is under control.

“I want to plead with our people to remain calm. From the report I gathered, it is clear some were killed, while many others who are injured have been taken to the hospital for medical attention.

“Let me again, make it clear that I was informed by my colleague that it was indeed, a case of mistaken identity. I want to assure our people living in Plateau that they are not targets of any religion or ethnic crisis.

“While assuring that justice will be served, I want to plead again that we do not take law into our hands. Let us remain calm.

“I also want to commiserate with the family of all those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. We mourn the departed and feel the pains of their loved ones.”

Governor Akeredolu assured  indigenes of Ondo state living outside the State of his commitment to their safety.

In the Police statement signed by the Spokesman of the Command,

ASP Gabriel Ogaba said the victims were going back to Ondo from a religious rite in Bauchi State.

It reads:

“On 14th August, 2021 at about 09:28 hours, the Plateau State Police Command received a distress call that a group of attackers suspected to be Irigwe youths and their sympathisers along Rukuba Road of Jos North LGA attacked a convoy of five buses with Muslim faithful who were coming back from the Annual Zikr prayer in Bauchi State and heading to Ikare in Ondo State.

Unfortunately, 22 persons were killed and Fourteen injured in the attack.

“Upon receipt of the report, a team of Police personnel, the military and other sister agencies were immediately mobilised to the scene where 21 victims were rescued and six suspects arrested.

“The Commissioner of Police, Plateau State Command, CP Edward Egbuka, along with the GOC 3-Division, Major General Ibrahim Ali, also visited the scene and ordered for a discreet investigation to fish out other perpetrators of this barbaric act at large.”