Plateau Attack: JNI says four Muslims among slain victims, 10 others missing

The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), on Tuesday, said four Muslims were among those killed during the Sunday night attack in the Anguwan Rukuba community of Jos North Local Government Area of Plateau State. It also said 10 other Muslims are missing, following the attack.

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The police on Monday confirmed that 27 persons were killed while many were injured in the incident.

Witnesses told PREMIUM TIMES that the attackers, who rode motorcycles, invaded the community around 7:30 p.m. firing indiscriminately.

In a statement on Tuesday signed by its secretary, Salim Umar, JNI, a body of Muslim groups, said it confirmed from a series of reports by parents within the Muslim community that Muslims were also victims of the attack.

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“The Jama’atu Nasril Islam (JNI), Plateau State Chapter, regrets to confirm the death of four Muslims and reports ten others missing following the recent attack on Anguwan Rukuba community in Jos North Local Government Area.

“Following thorough investigation and reports received from Muslim communities, we have discovered that four Muslims were killed while ten are still missing.

“The bodies of the victims have been identified at the Jos University Teaching Hospital (JUTH), while the ten missing persons remain unaccounted for, with their families having no contact with them since Sunday and their phone numbers switched off.

“We have also discovered that two persons are currently receiving treatment at JUTH.
JNI is in touch with families of the victims.
We condole with the parents of all the victims who lost their loved ones and call on the public to remain calm. We appreciate the government’s efforts in controlling the situation,“ the statement added.

Kabir Yusuf, an elder brother to one of the deceased, Abubakar Yusuf, said Abubakar was killed while returning with a friend from Fobur community where they went to buy tomatoes.

“On Sunday, he went to Fobur on a motorcycle to buy tomatoes. They usually go to the farm, and that day he went with N700,000 and bought the tomatoes.

“On their way back, they were attacked in Anguwan Rukuba, but his friend who was on the back of the motorcycle sustained injuries and survived,” Mr Yusuf said.

“According to Abubakar’s friend’s narrative, the hoodlums hit him on the head and he fell to the ground,” he added.

The identity of the attackers has yet to be verified and no group has claimed responsibility for the attack.

Some residents and observers initially said the attack was targeted at Christians in the community. However, JNI’s statement now suggests that the victims cut across various beliefs.

There were also reports of random retaliatory attacks by aggrieved residents, following the initial attack by the gunmen. It is unclear if the Muslims JNI referenced were killed by the gunmen or in the retaliatory attacks.

Jos and many other parts of Plateau have witnessed several cases of violence, leading to hundreds of deaths in recent years. The killings are caused by several factors such as banditry, and fight for land and resources, but often take ethnic and religious colourations.

The latest attack in Plateau has been condemned by many Nigerians, including President Bola Tinubu, who vowed to ensure the perpetrators are punished.

“Anyone who will sneak under the cover of the night and kill defenceless citizens as done in Jos and Kahir village, is a heartless coward. By attacking soft targets in Jos, their objective is not only to cause harm but also trigger a spiral of reprisal attacks and further bloodletting,” the president was quoted as saying by his spokesperson.

Mr Tinubu directed security agencies to intensify all efforts to pursue the perpetrators and those spreading misinformation that can inflame tensions and further endanger lives.

In its condemnation, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) described the killings as “horrific.”

Majority of the victims of the attack are believed to be Christians and the attack was carried out on Palm Sunday, the last Sunday before Christians celebrate Easter.
In a statement signed on Monday by its President, Archbishop Daniel Okoh, CAN urged the government and security agencies to move beyond “periodic reassurances” and “temporary measures,” demanding that the perpetrators be swiftly arrested and brought to justice.

“Nigerians are tired of mourning; Nigerians are tired of statements; Nigerians want to see action,” the cleric added.