Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau has begged the government and people of Ondo for forgiveness over the August 14 killing of 23 Muslim travellers from Ondo, who were passing through Jos after attending a religious event in Bauchi.
The commuters were attacked en route Ondo along Rukuba Road in Jos North Local Government Area, of which more than 30 were rescued by security agents.
The apology is contained in a statement by the governor’s press and public affairs director, Makut Macham, on Saturday in Jos.
Mr Lalong sent a delegation led by his deputy, Sonny Tyoden, and accompanied by Mohammed Haruna, emir of Wase, a town and local government area in Plateau; the Yoruba community leader in Plateau, Jide Olagbemiro; and Plateau chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Nigeria (MACBAN), Nura Mohammad, among others.
The delegation went to console and deliver over 30 of the survivors of the attack, rescued by the security agencies, to the Ondo state government and their families.
Pleading for forgiveness, Mr Lalong said the perpetrators acted on their own as they did not represent any religious, ethnic or social interest in the attack. He assured that the culprits involved will be brought to book as many arrests have been made.
Mr Tyoden said the visit was to convey the condolences and apologies of the government and people of Plateau to their families as well as the entire people of Ondo State.
He said Mr Lalong has been distressed by the incident, which is an attempt to jeopardise the substantial peace restored in the last six years since his assumption of office in the state.
He assured that the state government was committed to protecting the lives and properties of all Nigerians, saying that the culprits involved will be brought to book as many arrests have been made.
Responding, Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu thanked Mr Lalong for his quick intervention and other proactive measures taken to prevent the situation from escalating.
Represented by his deputy, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, the governor said on receiving the news, he immediately went to the cattle market to sympathise with the leadership of the Fulani brethren over the incident.
He said that his administration was concerned about the welfare of all citizens irrespective of their backgrounds, and appreciated his colleague for sending a high-level delegation to accompany their people back home.
The leader of the Fulani ethnic group in the South West, Kabiru Mohammed, assured that they have forgiven all in the interest of peace and stability of Nigeria.
He promised that there would be no reprisals as they were happy to see their brothers back in their midst.
According to him, Nigeria is greater than any individual or interest group.
Mr Tyoden was accompanied by the Emir of Wase, Mohammed Haruna; Yoruba Community Leader in Plateau, Jide Olagbemiro, and Nura Mohammad, Plateau chairman of Miyetti Allah Cattle Breeders Association in Nigeria (MACBAN), among others.
