Peace took flight from Jos, the capital of Plateau State, again yesterday. A clash between people claiming to be Muslims and Christians left no fewer than 22 people dead and about 50 others injured.
The clash took place around Jakwano, Maternity Gada Biu and Kabong Rukuba road in Jos North local government area of the state.
This development is coming barely 72 hours after the United Nations (UN) House in Abuja was attacked by a suicide bomber. The attack left at least 23 dead and scores injured.
LEADERSHIP checks revealed that the latest Jos crisis started when some Muslim faithful, mainly of the Izala sect which celebrated Sallah yesterday, were on their way to their praying ground along Rukuba Road, but were said to have been challenged by a Christian and a fight ensued.
Eyewitnesses told LEADERSHIP that, as the fight escalated, different types of weapons including machetes, knives and daggers were freely used.
Also, there were sporadic gunshots in the air by members of the special military task force on Jos crisis codenamed “Operation Safe Haven”, probably to scare the rampaging youth away. But the soldiers met a strong resistance.
It took the combined effort of members of the special military task force (STF) and members of the state security outfit codenamed “Operation Rainbow” to rescue those trapped at the prayer ground. They used armoured vehicles to escort them to safety.
The chairman of the Medical Advisory Committee of Bingham University Teaching Hospital, Jankwano, Mr. Stephen Lass, told LEADERSHIP that three dead bodies were brought to the hospital, while over 50 people received various degrees of injuries including gunshot wounds.
He added that the chief medical director of the hospital was in the theatre supervising a surgery operation of one of the victims.
Also, thick smoke enveloped the sky around Gada Biu and Maternity area of the state capital, as several cars and motorcycles were set ablaze. People hurriedly closed their shops, even as commercial banks closed for operation for fear of looting by hoodlums.
An eyewitness who resides at Unity Line, Jenta Apata, Darlington Iro, alleged that he saw military men shoot four people in the area, lamenting that it was sad for soldiers who are meant to protect innocent lives to turn their guns against the people.
The Rukuba community said through its leader Yusuf Kadiya that the Muslim Izala faithful attacked and killed nine of its people who were on their way from prayer ground.
Also, a statement issued by the Concerned Youth Forum, Kabong, and signed by Chris Chuwang said six of its youth died while 30 received various degrees of gunshot wounds.
The Plateau State commissioner of information, Mr. Abraham Yiljap, who addressed a press conference yesterday over the development, said the attention of the state government had been drawn to skirmishes in Kabong Rukuba road and Farin Gada, describing the situation as a great setback to the peace being attained in the state.
According to him, security operatives have since been mobilised to bring the situation under control. He added that people of the state, irrespective of tribe and religion, should go about their normal activities as the state government can no longer tolerate any act that will breach the peace being enjoyed in the state. The government, he added, had directed the state ministry of health to assist in treating those injured.
Yiljap further assured that the state government had deployed adequate security personnel to prevent any breakdown of law and order during the Sallah celebration.
Meanwhile, efforts to contact the spokesman of STF, Captain Charles Okeocha, and the police public relations officer of the Plateau State police command, ASP Jecop Apev, to comment on the development failed as the duo did not pick their calls.
It was also speculated that the gate and a part of the fence of the University of Jos, along Bauchi Road, was pulled down yesterday during the skirmishes.
The deputy registrar, information and publication of UNIJOS, Steve Otowo, when contacted to comment on the development said he was not feeling fine and had been out of town in the last two weeks.
A senior staff of the university, who did not want his name in print, told LEADERSHIP that he left the university around 2.00pm and that there was no such thing.
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