By Israel Joel
Scores of persons have again been killed in Jos, the Plateau State on Saturday following an outbreak of fresh violence that erupted along the Rukuba road axis of the city.
Our correspondent gathered that corpses numbering at least 18 were conveyed in two Hilux vans from the crisis spot to Plateau Specialist Hospital mortuary.
Though the violence has been quelled by Soldiers drafted from the Special Task Force (STF) on security, the city is still enveloped in palpable fears and tension.
In the past two days, the Irigwe youths repeatedly announced that they were conveying the corpses of their slain members for burial in Bassa on Saturday. They had set out in a convoy for the burial on Saturday morning when violence broke out along the way at Rukuba road.
Reacting to the fresh violence, the Governor of the state, Simon Lalong condemned killings, especially as they involved innocent commuters, and immediately directed security agencies to swiftly identify and arrest the perpetrators while dominating the area to restore calm.
In a statement signed by his Director of Press, Simon Macham reads in part: “Governor Simon Lalong has warned trouble makers bent on fomenting trouble in Plateau State to desist as the government will not allow any form of lawlessness to disrupt the peace of the State.
“Lalong said the attacks on innocent citizens no matter their backgrounds will never be tolerated in Plateau State and those who are found to be behind such attacks will be dealt with decisively to serve as deterrence and restore public order.
“The Governor however commends security agencies for their immediate response leading to the arrest of some suspects and the restoration of calm to the area.”
The Governor also commiserated with the families of those affected and assured all law-abiding citizens that security has been beefed up around the area as well as the entire metropolis to forestall further breach of the peace.
He reminded the citizens to remain vigilant and be security conscious in reporting suspicious persons and behaviour within their domains to enable law enforcement agencies to respond appropriately.
Long also directed the Secretary to the Government of the State, Prof. Danladi Atu to visit the areas and ascertain the situation as well as ensure that those injured receive adequate medical attention.
The peace of the state has been dented with a series of skirmishes in recent times, leading to several deaths and destruction of properties, especially in Bassa and Riyom Local Government Areas. The Governor has repeatedly warned that violent merchants won’t be allowed to have their way in the state.
Also, Troops of Operation Safe Haven deployed to restore law and order in a statement made available to newsmen in Jos said that on Saturday it swiftly responded to distress calls that suspected hoodlums blocked Jos North Junction along Rukuba Road in Jos North LGA of Plateau State and attacked some commuters.
The statement signed by Major Ishaku Gaji Takwa the Military Information Officer further reads that troops immediately mobilized to the scene and restored normalcy.
” Some persons including innocent commuters lost their lives in the unfortunate incident while others with varying degrees of injuries have been evacuated to a medical facility for care. Their condition is being closely monitored.”
OPSH further said that Twelve suspects have so far been arrested in connection with the incident and troops are on the trail of others who took part in perpetrating the heinous act.
Those arrested are currently in custody for interrogation.
The Commander Operation Safe Haven Major General Ibrahim Ali is appealed to the people to volunteer credible information that would lead to the arrest of other suspects currently at large. General Ali also appealed for calm and urge law-abiding citizens to continue with their lawful activities without any fear of intimidation.
Meanwhile, security patrols have been stepped up in Jos Metropolis to maintain peace and security.
