Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu of Ondo State has cautioned his people against carrying out retaliatory attack over Saturday’s killing of some Ondo indigenes in Plateau State.
Noting that an unconfirmed number of deaths have been recorded while some persons were severely injured in the said attack. he called for calm in a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Richard Olatunde.
Assuring that the true identity of the victims would soon be unraveled, he said he has received call from his Plateau State counterpart, Mr Solomon Lalong that it was a case of mistaken identity.
Akeredolu urged his people to refrain from any hasty colouration of the incident and cautioned them against taking laws into their hands.
His words: “The victims, according to preliminary reports, took a route where crisis between Muslims and Northern Christians had ensued for some time and that they may have been possibly, mistaken for aggressors. Accordingly, either of the two feuding groups in the area could be responsible in this regard.
“I have spoken with my brother Governor in Plateau and he has assured me that the situation is under control. I want to plead with our people to remain calm.
“From the report I gathered, it is clear some were killed while many others who are injured have been taken to the hospital for medical attention.
“Let me again make it clear that I was informed by my colleague that it was indeed, a case of mistaken identity.
“I want to assure our people living in Plateau that they are not targets of any religion or ethnic crisis.
“While assuring that justice will be served, I want to plead again that we do not take law into our hands. Let us remain calm.
“I also want to commiserate with the family of all those who have lost their lives in this unfortunate incident. We mourn the departed and feel the pains of their loved ones”.
