The Minister of Steel Development, Prince Shuaibu Abubakar Audu has extended his heartfelt condolences to the paramount ruler of Igala kingdom, His Royal Majesty, Alaji Mathew Opaluwa over the death of his sister, Mallama Meimunat Opaluwa-Sani and her granddaughter.
In a statement made available to journalists Friday in Abuja by Special Assistant on Media to the minister, Lizzy Okoji, Prince Audu described the death of the late Mallama Opaluwa-Sani and her five-year-old granddaughter as tragic and sacrilegious.
Late Mallama Opaluwa-sani, Akwuma Attah Igala, died on Thursday, January 4, at the age of 75, alongside her five-year-old granddaughter, Onechojo, when her home in Idah, Kogi State, was allegedly set ablaze by some assailants.
The Minister said the death of Mallama Opaluwa-sani, Akwuma Attah Igala was a loss to the entire Igala Kingdom, urging Igalas to remain strong.
Prince Audu also called on security agencies to investigate the alleged arson and bring to book the perpetrators of the heinous crime. “It is with a heavy heart that I condole with our father, HRM, Alaji Mathew Opaluwa and the royal family over the deaths of his sister and her granddaughter, whose lives were taken in the most painful manner.
“I also commiserate with the entire people of Igala Kingdom at this time because this is a loss to every one of us. “I call on security agencies to investigate the alleged arson and bring the perpetrators of this act to book so that it would serve as a deterrent to others.
Such acts of sacrilege must be discouraged in our land. “I pray that Almighty Allah grant the souls of the late Mallama Meimunat Opaluwa, and her granddaughter, Onechojo Aljanah Firdaus. I also pray Almighty Allah grants the family the heart to bear the loss,” Audu stated.