Plateau State Governor Caleb Mutfwang has condemned the murder of eight travellers in the Mangun community of the Mangu Local Government Area of the state by suspected hoodlums.
Mutfwang, who called for calm, said this when he visited the scene of the incident on Saturday.
Chronicle NG reports that on Friday, an irate mob attacked 31 travellers, including women and children, and killed twelve of them.
The travellers were traveling from Zaria to Qua’an Pan LGA of the state to attend a wedding ceremony.
Mufwang, who expressed sadness over the incident, described it as an act of criminality.
“I have reached out to my brother, Gov. Uba Sani of Kaduna State and the Emir of Zazzau; I have briefed them on this unfortunate incident.
“This is not something that we are happy with; this is not an occurrence that we will condone.
“So, we condemn it in all totality, and we have made a pledge that any act of criminality would not be tolerated.
“I therefore want to use this medium again to call upon the youth of Plateau, that it is time to be very sensible.
“It is time to be wise. If you find strangers in your midst, call for interrogation to avoid a case of mistaken identity and not take laws into your hands,” he said.
The governor, who had visited the injured travellers currently receiving treatment at Mangu General Hospital, pledged to cover their medical expenses.
Mutfwang condoled with the families of those who lost loved ones in the attack and pledged to send a government delegation to visit them as well as the Kaduna state government.
The governor praised Mangun’s youth leader and the security authorities for their quick response to the situation, which resulted in the rescue of the mob action survivors.
Mutfwang assured Nigerians that Plateau is peaceful, urged inhabitants of the state to show tolerance, mutual trust, and understanding.
“I want to assure Nigerians that Plateau will continue to be home to everybody, irrespective of ethnicity and religious beliefs,” Mutfwang said.
Earlier, Emmanuel Adesina, the Commissioner of Police in the state, confirmed the number of deaths recorded during the attack.
“Seven persons died on the spot, but this morning, one among the injured also died in the hospital.
“This brings the number of those who died to eight, he said.
Adesina, however, stated that it had arrested 22 suspects in connection with the incident.
The police chief added that his men were also searching the community to fish for other persons suspected to be involved in the mob action.
