The Aguma of Tawari, Kogi state, Alhaji Idris Yusuf, Thursday retracted the statement he reportedly made against Kogi local government area over the attack on his community early this year.
Gunmen had on January 2, 2020, attacked Tawari community in Kogi local government area of Kogi state, killing 26 people, burnt down over 50 houses, churches and the palace of the king of the community.
The monarch, in a video that went viral, accused the authority of the LGA of complicity on the attack.
However, a press statement signed by the Aguma of Tawari, Alhaji Idris Yusuf and made available to journalists in Lokoja on Thursday, expressed regret over such accusations on the local authority.
He said: ”I Alhaji Idris Yusuf, the Aguma of Tawari, wish to withdraw my statement considered offensive with regards to the recent attack on Tawari.
”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 being and 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 monarch stated.
He, however, appealed to the state government and the security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators of the heinous crime against his community are apprehended and brought to justice.
