The Special Task Force, Operation Safe Haven (OPSH) in Plateau State yesterday arrested 12 suspects over the killings at Rukuba Road, Jos North local government area of the state.
The media officer of the task force, Maj. Ishaku Takwa, disclosed this in a statement.
Suspected Irigwe youths early yesterday attacked a convoy of five buses, killed 22 Muslim travellers and injured 14 others.
“This morning, our troops swiftly responded to distress calls that suspected hoodlums blocked a junction along Rukuba Road in Jos North and attacked some commuters.
“Troops immediately mobilised to the scene and restored normalcy.
“Unfortunately, some persons lost their lives in the unfortunate incident, while others with varying degree of injuries have been evacuated to a medical facility for care.
“So far, 12 suspects have been arrested in connection with the incident and troops are on the trail of others, who took part in the heinous act. Those arrested are currently in custody for interrogation,” he said.
Takwa said the commander of the task force, Maj.-Gen. Ibrahim Ali, urged members of the public to volunteer credible information that would lead to the arrest of other suspects currently at large.
He said the commander also appealed to residents of the area to be calm, law abiding and continue with their lawful activities without any fear of intimidation.
Ondo State Governor Oluwarotimi Akeredolu, has called for calm over the killings. Some of the victims are believed to be indigenes of Ondo State.
Akeredolu in a statement signed by his chief press secretary, Olabode Olatunde, warned against reprisal, saying, “From the report I received from my brother, the governor in Plateau, the incident was a case of mistaken identity.
“The victims, according to preliminary reports, took a route where a crisis between Muslims and northern Christians had ensued for some time, and they may have been possibly mistaken for aggressors. Accordingly, either of the two feuding groups in the area could be responsible in this regard.”
While calling for calm among the people of the state, Akeredolu said nobody should take the law into their hands and urged the people to refrain from any hasty colouration of the incident.
