President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) and Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, on Sunday warned against reprisal killings just as he urged security operatives to locate the other eight persons that are missing after Saturday’s killing in Jos, Plateau State.
The Sultan said in a statement titled, ‘NSCIA condemns the massacre of Muslims in Plateau State’ and released by NSCIA Director of Administration, Zubairu Haruna Usman-Ugwu, that no blood needed to be lost either for ethnic or religious reasons.
The Nigeria Police had already announced the arrest of 20 people connected with the attack, saying that they are mainly from the local Irigwe people whose area has witnessed unrelenting violence, killings and destruction in recent weeks..
According to the statement, “the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs under the leadership of its President-General and Sultan of Sokoto, His Eminence, Alh. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, CFR, mni, unequivocally condemns the massacre of a group of innocent Muslims who were returning from Bauchi to Akure, Ondo State, on Saturday.
“While affirming the statements of their Excellencies, the Governors of Plateau and Ondo States that it was a case of mistaken identity and not particularly intended for the Muslims, the Council appeals to all Muslims to be calm and nobody should take laws into his or her hands.
“The Council re-emphasizes that no human life deserves to be wasted on any ground be it religious or ethnic.
“The Council is monitoring the investigation and would ensure that justice is done.
“In the meantime, while efforts are on to locate the eight missing Muslims, the Council urges the security agencies to fish out all the perpetrators of the dastardly acts and ensure that adequate justice is done.
“The Council commiserates with all Muslims, particularly Sheikh Dahiru Bauchi, the host of the religious event from which the victims were returning.
“The Council prays that Almighty Allah heal the wounded and grant Al-jannah to the departed martyrs.”