Dozens dead in Nigerian Religious Crisis

The numbers of casualty and death toll havehas increased to sixty adding that they were
increased in the religious crisis between the Muslimcaught with dangerous assorted weapons.
and Christians in Jos, Plateau state, Nigeria whichIn a Press briefing by the State Police
had led to the death of dozens of people whileCommissioner Greggory Anyanting, it was
others injured in fresh sectarian violence leading toreported that the crisis was caused by some
the imposition of a dusk-to-dawn curfew.Muslims youths who without provocation attacked
The crisis blowup at the Dutse Uku area of Josworshippers at the St. Michael Catholic Church in
North after an argument on the rebuilding ofthe Nasarawa Gwong area between 5:30 and 6:30
homes destroyed in the November 2008 clashes.pm on Sunday. He said investigations were still on
The violence later spread to Nasarawa Gwom,to establish the causes of the violence.
Rikkos and Yanshanu areas of the city.According to the Police Commissioner 35 persons
Findings revealed that the rampaging youthsare arrested while five of them in military
armed with dangerous weapon still carried outuniforms, carrying assorted weapons. “I
attacked on people and going around destroyingcannot give casualty figures now until my men
property in spite of the presence of the lawcomplete their full investigation,” he said.
enforcement agencies in the troubled NasarawaThe crisis started at Dutse Uku when some
and Dutse Uku areas of Jos North Localyouths tried to stop one Alhaji (names yet to be
Government Area of the state, killings and burningconfirmed) from rebuilding his house that was
of houses still continued in the early hour ofburnt during the November 2008 crisis. The Alhaji
Monday.was allegedly beaten by the youths. This drew
 the attention of some rival youths who came
As the youths who are armed in the area overover, leading to a fight between Christian and
powered the Police as the AssistantMuslim youths, witnesses said.
Commissioner of Police and five other policemenThe Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) on Monday
was attacked by the mob and sustained fataltook a swipe on religious, political and community
injuries, the Police Force retreated. The militaryleaders over their alleged failure to bring a halt to
where later in control of the situation, ready tothe incessant crisis on the Plateau, saying they
fire and for any kind of action as the Military menmust brace up and inspire cultural renaissance by
exaggerated patrol with armor tanks but theworking hard to overcome differences that
rampaging youths still took the advantage ofdivided the people which should be based on core
inadequate security men on ground to unleashvalues of humanity.
mayhem on innocent people, killing both childrenFollowing yet another report of violent clashes in
and women.the precinct of Nasarawa Gwom of Jos town in
 Plateau state, the Arewa Consultative Forum
The Plateau State Specialist Hospital and Jos(ACF) wishes to say enough of senseless violence
University Teaching Hospital corpse are beenleading top loss of lives.
turned in by the Police and the Nigerian Red CrossACF stated that violence, be it political, religious or
while no fewer than 10 corpses are been foundethnic differences is not acceptable to God or
at the Central Mosque and 16 people were takenAllah as well as the peace loving people of Nigeria
to the hospital with gunshot wounds while someand to the atmosphere needed for
were heavily cut with machete.socio-economic development. Surely, no society
 can thrive on the basis of its factions but by
A  report made available stated that over 20tolerant accommodation of one another.
corpses lying at Anguwan Dula Local GovernmentReligious, political and community leaders must
while on Bauchi road over twelve corpses werebrace up and inspire cultural renaissance by
sighted along the major streets while some wereworking hard to overcome differences that divide
burnt beyond recognition and several housesthe people and this should be based on core
destroyed.values of humanity, ACF stated
 All commercial activities were paralyzed stopped
The State Commissioner of Police, Mr Gregon Monday  while only few people were seen on
Ayanting who confirmed that some of his menthe street.
were injured added that the number of arrest