From Femi Mustapha, in Kaduna
The Supreme Council for Islamic Shariah in Nigeria, Kaduna State chapter, has strongly condemned the recent killings of 12 innocent travelers in the Mangu local government area of Plateau State.
In a statement signed by Engineer AbdurRahman Hassan, the Secretary of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria (Kaduna State chapter), the council expressed its outrage over the attack that occurred on June 21, 2025.
This horrifying incident resulted in the deaths of 12 law-abiding travelers from Kaduna State, with many others sustaining serious injuries.
The statement said, “We strongly condemn this heinous, inhumane, and uncivilized act of barbarism against these travelers.” It further emphasized that Plateau State has historically been a flashpoint for ethnic and religious violence, primarily targeting Muslims.
“The exposure of atrocities committed against Muslim travelers in Plateau is alarming. The Du Pond tragedy, where innocent travelers are ambushed and killed—many of whom are Muslims—remains a painful memory. The killing of Major General Idris Alkali (Retired) is still fresh in our minds, and we continue to seek justice. Such barbaric acts must cease and will not be tolerated,” the statement added.
The council called on the Plateau State government to apprehend the criminals involved and to deal with them decisively as a deterrent for others. “We hope this incident will not be treated the same as previous ones,” it stated.
While the council commended the Kaduna State government for its prompt response to the matter, it urged that further action is needed—potentially litigation against Plateau State—to ensure that compensation (diyyah) is paid to the families of the deceased and those injured.
The statement further said, “Our prayer is that the Plateau State government will take necessary actions to address the root causes of these conflicts and ensure justice for the victims. Only through sustained efforts from both governmental and non-governmental organizations can we achieve lasting peace in the troubled region of Plateau.”
The council urged the citizens of Kaduna State to remain law-abiding and not to take the law into their own hands. “May Allah grant peace to the souls of the departed victims and swift recovery to the injured.”
