A renowned Constitutional lawyer, Kayode Ajulo has condemned the killing of 22 travelers in Plateau state, where about 14 others were severely injured.
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, were along Rukuba road of Jos North local government, ambushed and attacked by a group suspected to be Irigwe youths. The attack that happened Saturday morning resulted in the death of 22 persons and 14 critically injured.
Ajulo in a statement released by his media aide, Wole Adepoju, on Saturday described the incident as an unfortunate one that everyone must stand up to condemn in very strong terms, so that such is never repeated in the state.
He said he was worried about how lives of such a large of people could be cut short, for just no reason.
Also, he said he could not come in term with when the once peaceful state had become a place where such a terrible incident could take place. Ajulo recalled his days as an undergraduate of University of Jos where could move freely at any time without any reason to fear or panic.
He lamented that it is most unfortunate that a group of Muslim travelers, passing through Jos to returning to their base could be killed in most callous manner, just as he feared such killing is capable of bringing about religious or ethnicity crisis.
Ajulo however called on the state governor, Simon Lalong, to give explanation to the government and the people of Ondo State, he also demanded from him to rise to the occasion as quick as possible and ensure a decisive action is taken towards bringing the perpetrators of the dastardly act to book, as well as forestall a future occurrence.
“I want to call on the governor of Plateau state, Simon Lalong, to rise up immediately, deploy all within his power to ensure the perpetrators of this despicable and evil act, are brought to justice. This cannot be allowed to be swept under the carpet because it is an affront on the people of Ondo state where the victims come from”. Ajulo said.
“I also want to demand that the government of the state put in place measures to ensure this kind of unfortunate incident never repeats itself”. He concluded.
Ajulo condoled families of the victims, the governor of Ondo state, Arakunrin Rotimi Akeredolu and the entire people of Ondo state, that God should give them fortitude to bear the loss. He also prayed for the repose of the souls of the departed.
