By Our Reporter, Lokoja
The Yerima of Tawari, Alhaji Idris Alhassan Yusuf, has on Thursday withdrew his earlier statements allegedly made against the Administrator of Kogi Local Government Area and some State Government officials, on the attack on his community early this year.
The monarch had in a video that went viral on social media, made some uncontrollable utterances where he allegedly accused some government officials of complicity in the attack.
According to him, the statement was made out of his emotional feelings, which he wrongly accused the authority of the LGA of complicity about the attack.
However, a press statement signed by the Yerima Of Tawari, Alhaji Idris Yusuf and made available to journalists in Lokoja, expressed regret over such accusations on the local government authority.
”I, Alhaji Idris Yusuf, the Aguma of Tawari wish to withdraw my statement considered offensive with regards to the recent attack on Tawari.
It would be recalled that some unknown gunmen had on Jan. 2, attacked Tawari a Bassa Kwomu community in Kogi Local Government Area, and killed 26 people, burnt down over 50 buildings, churches and the palace of the Yerima of the community.
”The statement, as contained in the released video of a visit by an NGO to Tawari was borne out of anger and pain over the huge loss of lives and property to the gruesome attack on my Community.
”As a human and the head of the community, I was only emotional about the plight of the innocent victims of the attack.
”I want to categorically state that I neither meant any harm nor intended to incite the public against anyone or constituted authority by my statement as contained in the video.
”As the traditional head of Tawari, I want to sincerely apologise to anyone or authorities that my statement might have offended in any way.
”I, hereby retract my statement and tender my unreserved apologies to all concerned,” the statement reads.
The monarch, however, appealed to the State Government and the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime against his community, were apprehended and brought to justice.
