Jos Religious Riots: 150 Dead, Jonathan Decries Riots

THE renewed violence in Jos, the Plateau State capital, appeared to have overwhelmed security agencies deployed to quell it when it erupted on Sunday.
As Vice President Goodluck Jonathan described the bloodbath on the plateau as one crisis too many; declaring that “the Federal Government finds it most unacceptable, retrogressive, and capable of further sundering the bonds of unity in our country.”

In this vein the army authorities, yesterday, deployed additional troops from the 3 Armoured Division in Jos to trouble spots in the city following the escalation of the violence with a view to bringing normalcy to the state.
VP says crisis is one too many
Vice President Goodluck Jonathan described the bloodbath on the plateau as one crisis too many; declaring that “the Federal Government finds it most unacceptable, retrogressive, and capable of further sundering the bonds of unity in our country.”
A statement by the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Mr. Ima Niboro, said Nigeria cannot afford these constant eruptions, warning that government is determined to find a permanent solution to the Jos crisis.
The full text of the statement reads: “Once again, there has been an eruption in Jos, the Plateau State capital, accompanied by a most regrettable loss of lives and property. This is one crisis too many, and the Federal Government finds it most unacceptable, retrogressive, and capable of further sundering the bonds of unity in our country.
“The country cannot afford these constant eruptions, and while the situation has been brought under control by the security agencies, government is determined to find a permanent solution to the Jos crisis.
“Today, the Vice President, Dr. Goodluck Ebele Jonathan, convened a meeting of security chiefs to review the situation and initiate forward processes to reign in the violence. This is in addition to the initial orders for the urgent containment of the crisis. He has further directed an urgent meeting of all key stakeholders, towards achieving lasting peace in the area.

“Today, he also directed the Inspector General of Police and the top hierarchy of the security services, to proceed to Jos immediately to assess the situation and advise on further steps.
They are also to put in place comprehensive security strategies to ensure that these constant eruptions do not happen again. “The Vice President seizes this opportunity to call upon all Nigerians to remain law abiding and shun subversive tendencies such as we have just witnessed in Jos.
The Federal Government is determined to maintain law and order at all times since there can be no meaningful development in an atmosphere of disagreement and rancour.
“The Vice President is confident that our nation can move beyond our current challenges, no matter how daunting they may seem, to build an even greater Nigeria.”
SOURCE: vanguardngr.com