Hausa/Fulani and Muslim community in Cross River State has denied collecting money on behalf of victims of the December 27 Bikers carnival accident that claimed the lives of eight persons and left 44 injured.
A statement, made available to newsmen, yesterday, by the community in Calabar and signed by the Head of Hausa-Fulani and Muslim community, Cross River State, Garba Lawal, read: “I want to clarify important misinformation making the rounds, that the Hausa community has collected money meant for victims and failed to direct same to the rightful beneficiaries. That information is misleading.
“To put the records straight, we have a comprehensive list containing the number of deaths and victims receiving treatment at the hospitals. We also raised a combined committee comprising Hausa people and indigenes, and a Cross River citizen is the Secretary.
“As a peaceful community in the state, our people gave us listening ears and have accepted that issues about life and death are basically left to God alone. Together, we all pray for God to accept the souls of the departed and also comfort their families.
“In essence, I wish to, on behalf of the entire Hausa/Fulani Community, say that the Governor, as a Chief Security Officer of the state, has done well. The matter at hand is one that requires support of everybody, because it is a case of Accident and Humanity. So far, aside the strategic interventions of the governor, other individuals, philanthropists, politicians have rendered one form of support or another.”
“While appreciating such laudable gestures, we want to appeal to the general public to continue to render prayers, show care and even support in any form as doing so, will also translate to charitable cause.”
The group commended the governor’s swift response by deploying joint security operatives, including police, soldiers, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the DSS and ambulance from state Ministry of Health to the area, “which further assisted in saving lives of other victims whose conditions were critical.
Lawal said the governor promised “to take care of the injured victims and render support to families of the deceased.
“As we continue to collaborate with the state and security personnel to ensure total peace, we can’t stop appealing to our people not to abuse the privileges we all enjoy under the good people of Cross River State.
