ACF: Jos killings must be investigated quickly to prevent breakdown of law and order

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has condemned the recent attack on travellers in Jos, the Plateau capital.

On Saturday, buses conveying some Muslim worshippers from Bauchi to Ondo were attacked, resulting in the killing of 22 people.

Fourteen others were said to have sustained injuries in the attack.

In a statement on Sunday, Emmanuel Yawe (pictured), spokesman of the ACF, called on religious and traditional leaders in Jos north area to advise residents not to take laws into their hands.

While noting that no religion allows its followers to “spill innocent blood”, the forum urged security operatives to ensure that investigation into the incident is quick, in order to prevent breach of peace in the area.

“Last month, there was an attack on over 20 farms in Miango, Bassa Local Government Area of Plateau state. Unknown terrorists, suspected to be herdsmen, attacked and destroyed maize farms there,” the statement reads.

“Governor Simon Lalong who visited the destroyed farms was visibly angry and called on security agents to apprehend these criminals. There is no evidence that they have been fished out.

“Just yesterday, 14th August, 2021, a convoy of travellers from Bauchi to Ondo state were massacred in Rukuba Road, Jos.

“According to the police, 22 people were killed. All those killed were Muslims which points to the fact that it was a reprisal attack.”

“Cases of a breach of the peace as we are witnessing on the Plateau must be investigated speedily and the culprits brought to book in the courts of law.

“It is the only way to stop a breakdown of law and order in communities, the state of Plateau itself and the country.”