Why herdsmen shouldn’t be blamed for killing of Plateau traditional ruler

The Sultan of Sokoto, Sa’ad Abubakar, on Wednesday condemned the killing of a top traditional ruler in Plateau State.

Lazarus Agai, the Saf Ron Kurele, was killed on Monday while visiting his farm. His wife and security aide were also shot dead by unknown gunmen.

Indigenes of the area accuse their Fulani neighbours. They say the chief was murdered because of his opposition to the state government’s plan to create grazing reserves in the area.

On Tuesday, youth in the area blocked roads and reportedly destroyed buildings.

The sultan, who visited Plateau State on Wednesday, said the media to stop jumping into conclusion that herdsmen were responsible for the murder.

“Journalists who reported the incident just jump into conclusion and said it was herdsmen who killed the traditional ruler, the Saf Ron Kulere, without waiting for investigations from security agencies to provide details on the incidents, that is not fair,” he said.

Mr. Abubakar called on security agents to fish out the killers.

He spoke at the palace of the Gbong Gwom Jos, Gyang Buba, while paying condolence to the paramount ruler, over the death of the Saf Ron Kulere.

Mr. Abubakar sued for peace among Nigerians.

“People should not take laws into their hands, whoever is a bad element in any community should be exposed,” he said.

The sultan said he was in Jos for a two-day meeting of northern traditional council of chiefs to discuss primary healthcare in the region.

“We are enjoying peace on the Plateau now, we should maintain the peace, let’s go back to the old days of peaceful coexistence, religious harmony, by so doing we should respect one another, our unity is of paramount importance,” he said.

The Gbong Gwom Jos, Gyang Buba, described the death of late Saf Ron as unfortunate, and urged security agents to wake up to their task of providing adequate securities to all citizens.