Owo Attack: Compensate Fulani Victims, MURIC

Post created on 10:52 am

On Thursday the Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC), an Islamic human rights advocacy group, called for compensation for the Fulani victims of reprisals following the attack on worshippers at the St. Francis Catholic Church, Owo, Ondo State.

Daily Trust reports that following the attack, there were reports of reprisal attacks on some Fulani people in the community.

The Nigerian Army on Tuesday however said the suspected attackers had been arrested and the suspects are from Ebira from Okene, Kogi State.

A statement made yesterday by MURIC director, Professor Ishaq Akintola, urged Ondo State Governor Rotimi Akeredolu to compensate the Fulani victims.

“Those who lost property should be compensated. Some form of relief should also be provided for families of those who were killed among them,” the statement said.

MURIC also appealed to Nigerians to avoid jumping to conclusions and, most importantly, to stop ethnic profiling and hasty judgement.

“There are criminals in all tribes just as there are decent people everywhere. Tribes do not commit crimes. It is individuals who do,” the statement also said.

The organization also commended the security agencies for unmasking those behind the church attack.

In another interview with Daily Trust the Sarkin Hausawa of Owo, Alhaji Nurudeen Ibrahim, said the Hausa and Fulani people had been vindicated by the arrest.

He said some Fulani were still being held by the South West Security Network known as Amotekun in connection with the attack but since the perpetrators have been arrested they can be released.