By Abdullahi Alhassan, Kaduna
The Kaduna State chapter of the Supreme Council for Shariah in Nigeria has vehemently condemned the gruesome killing of 12 innocent travelers from Kaduna State in Mangu Local Government Area of Plateau State, describing the attack as “barbaric, inhumane, and unacceptable.”
In a strongly worded statement signed by the chapter’s Secretary, Engineer AbdurRahman Hassan, the Council decried what it called a recurring pattern of violence targeting Muslim travelers in Plateau State, calling for urgent government action to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“On June 21, 2025, a horrifying attack occurred in Mangu LGA, where 12 law-abiding Muslim travelers from Kaduna State were brutally murdered and several others sustained serious injuries,” the statement read.
“This heinous act of cruelty represents yet another episode in the alarming trend of unprovoked killings in Plateau State.”
The Council noted that Plateau State has long been a flashpoint for ethno-religious violence, often with Muslims as the primary victims.
It cited previous incidents including the murder of retired Major General Idris Alkali, describing such events as tragic reminders of the state’s deep-rooted security challenges.
“The frequency and impunity of these attacks, from Du Pond to Mangu, must not be ignored. The continued killing of Muslim travelers paints a disturbing picture that demands urgent redress.
“These atrocities must stop. They will no longer be tolerated,” the statement warned.
The Council called on the Plateau State Government to ensure that the criminals responsible for this attack are swiftly apprehended and prosecuted.
“There must be decisive action, not symbolic responses. We demand justice not only for the deceased but also for the wounded and their families,” the statement emphasized.
It further urged the Kaduna State Government to go beyond issuing condemnatory statements by exploring legal options, including filing for compensation (diyyah) on behalf of the victims’ families.
While advocating for justice, the Council appealed to Kaduna residents to remain law-abiding and avoid any form of retaliatory action. “We must not take the law into our own hands,” it urged, while offering prayers for the repose of the victims’ souls and speedy recovery of the injured.
The statement concluded by calling for sustained efforts from both governmental and non-governmental organizations to address the root causes of the Plateau crisis, stressing that only through inclusive dialogue, accountability, and justice can lasting peace be achieved in the region.
