The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF), has condemned renewed violence in Jos, Plateau state.
In a statement on Sunday, spokesman of the forum, Mr. Emmanuel Yawe, called on religious and traditional leaders to impress on the people to exercise restraint and not take the laws in their hands.
The statement said no religion – neither Chrianity nor Islam- allows its followers to spill innocent blood.
It urged the security agencies to take their responsibilities seriously.
The forum recalled that , “Last month there was an attack on over 20 farms in Miango, Bassa Local Government of Plateau state.
“Unknown terrorists, suspected to be herdsmen attacked and destroyed maize farms there.
“Governor Simon Lalong who visited the destroyed farms was visibly angry and called on security agents to apprehend these criminals. There is no evidence that they have been fished out.”
It lamented that, “just yesterday 14th August 2021, a convoy of travellers from Bauchi to Ondo state were massacred in Rukuba Road, Jos.
“According to the police 22 people were killed. All those killed were Muslims which points to the fact that it was a reprisal attack.”
Yawe said what is happening on Plateau is a clear indication that hostilities have resumed and the bad old days of ‘tit for tat’ are back to the state again.
While calling on the people of the state to remain calm, the ACF urged that “Cases of a breach of the peace as we are witnessing on the Plateau must be investigated speedily and the culprits brought to book in the Courts of law.”
“It is the only way to stop a breakdown of law and order in communities, the state of Plateau itself and the country”, the statement added.
