The Jama’atul Nasril Islam, JNI, Plateau State chapter, has petitioned the state Commissioner of Police, Edward Egbuka, over an online publication alleging that Fulani herdsmen were planning to stockpile weapons at the Jos Central Mosque.
DAILY NIGERIAN recalls that a blog had on September 18 published a report claiming that some Fulani herdsmen had held a meeting on August 16 at the Jos central Mosque where they raised over N2million for the purchase of weapons from Niger Republic.
The publication also alleged that on September 18, some Fulani herdsmen had attacked and displaced a community in Barkin Ladi Local Government Area and renamed the village to Tafawa.
According to the publication, the Fulani people had also resolved to resume hostilities in four communities before December.
However, the NJI distanced itself from the publication, saying: “The Jama’atu Nasril Islam finds the unfortunate publication highly injurious to its hard-earned reputation as a peace loving and peace promoting religious organization.”
“Although Masarakim has since removed the publication in question from the internet, we have saved its content, alongside other concerned citizens.
“We therefore pray the police will investigate this unfortunate and spurious allegation capable of plunging the State and the nation into avoidable chaos and breach of the peace,” the JNI prayed.
DAILY NIGERIAN reports that the petition, signed on Tuesday by the NJI Public Secretary, Sani Mudi, was tagged: ‘Complain against false statement spread by one Masarakim’.
Governor Simon Lalong, the Commander, Operation Safe Heaven as well as State Director of State Secret Service, SSS, were all copied.
