At least 22 persons have lost their lives while 14 others are in critical condition after a mob of irate youths attacked a Muslim convoy in Plateau state.
According to the Plateau police command, the attack which took place on Saturday morning at Rukuba road was perpetrated by youths of Irigwe area.
The youths attacked a convoy of Muslims heading to Ondo state from the annual Zikr prayer in Bauchi state.
The police authorities confirmed that 22 persons were killed and 14 others were injured in the attack.
However, 21 persons were rescued from the scene before any more damage could be done.
The commissioner of police in the state has ordered an investigation to fish out the perpetrators of the attack and urged the public to remain calm. He added that anyone with useful information should make it available to security operatives.
The latest development was disclosed by the Spokesman of the Command, ASP Gabriel Ogaba, in Jos, the State Capital.
Ogaba said, “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.”
According to him, “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”, he explained.
“The CP warned that those that perpetrated this dastardly act and others that incited it, will be made to face the full wrath of the law.”