14th
August, 2021
PRESS RELEASE:
MASSACRE OF MUSLIMS AT RUKUBA, JOS:
CHRISTIAN TERRORISTS MUST BE ROUNDED UP - MURIC
Twenty two (22) unarmed Muslim travellers were
killed by a Christian militia group at Rukaba, Jos, Plateau State on Saturday,
14th August, 2021. The swift response of security agents led to the
arrest of six of the attackers at the scene. Meanwhile the Muslim Rights
Concern (MURIC) has called for the immediate rounding up of all members of the
Christian militia in Jos.
MURIC made the call in a statement issued on
Saturday evening, 14th August, 2021. The statement was signed by the
group’s director, Professor Ishaq Akintola.
“Twenty two (22) unarmed Muslim travellers
were brutally killed by a Christian militia group at Rukaba, Jos, Plateau State,
today, Saturday, 14th August, 2021. The attack began around 9.28 am.
The Muslims had attended the annual dhikr prayer in Bauchi State and they were returning
to Ikare, Ondo State when they were waylaid by the notorious Irigwe Christian
militia.
“The unarmed Muslims who were in a convoy of five
buses were forced to disembark. They were then killed one after another. Twenty
two of them were killed while fourteen (14) were seriously injured. It was the
arrival of the police and soldiers on the scene that saved the rest.
“MURIC condemns this massacre in the
strongest terms. It is barbaric. We hereby demand the rounding up of all
members of the Irigwe Christian militia. They must be brought to justice. They
ran away from the crime scene when they saw securitymen approaching. But they
had participated in the killing of twenty two (22) and wounding of fourteen (14)
before taking to their heels.
“It is not possible for the six who were arrested
to have been the only attackers. Only six attackers could not have surrounded
people who filled five buses. The rest must be fished out.
“We reject the crocodile tears and lies of
Governors Lalong of Jos and Akeredolu of Ondo State who claimed that the attack
was a case of mistaken identity. This excuse is the first sign of executive
conspiracy. It is a shame that Akeredolu will trivialise the massacre of
citizens of his own state simply because the victims happen to be Muslims.
#Muslimlivesmatter.
“How can anybody say Muslims from Ikare in Ondo
State were killed in such a large number due to ‘mistaken identity’? That is
baldadash. It is unthinkable. Who do the Christian terrorists have the right to
attack and kill for their pleasure and who should they spare? This kind of
excuse has exposed the mentality of the two governors. They are shedding
crocodile tears.
“Lalong’s body language makes it difficult
for us to trust him. He will sweep this caseunder the carpet at the first
opportunity because his kinsmen are the culprits and he has a history of
covering up their crimes. The killing of General Alkali is still fresh in our
memory, particularly the attempt at coverup, the comedy at the pond and the
eventual intervention of the governor who ran to army headquarters to beg for
forgiveness.
“We thought the lawlessness in Jos had stopped with
the declaration of remorse. But today’s massacre of such a large number of
Muslims has exposed the hypocrisy of Lalong and his bloodthirsty terrorists. All
the Muslims in the convoy of five buses would have been killed and their bodies
thrown into the ponds around Jos as usual if the police and soldiers had not
arrived on time.
“MURIC therefore demands that the
investigation be taken over by the Inspector General of Police. It is too dicey
to be entrusted to the jurisdiction of Governor Lalong.
“We also demand to know the latest about the
case of the brutal killing of General Alkali. Where are those arrested over his
killing and how far has the case gone? Nigerian Muslims deserve to know whether
or not justice has been carried out in this case.
“It is also abundantly clear from this ugly
incident that travellers, particularly Muslims are not safe on Jos roads. The
security agencies must find a way of securing that route.
“We appeal to Muslims nationwide to remain calm and
lawabiding, particularly in Ikare, Ondo State, a predominantly Muslim enclave
and Bauchi, where the dhikr programme was held.
“We pray for the repose of the souls of the 22 Muslims
killed in this unprovoked attack. May Allah have mercy on them and may He in
His Infinite Mercy give their families the fortitude to bear the loss. We also
pray for the quick recovery of the injured among them and their subsequent safe
return to their homes.”
Professor
Ishaq Akintola,
Director,
Muslim Rights Concern
(MURIC)
14th
August, 2021
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