Jos: We warned Muslims against using the praying ground – CP •As death toll increases •Pastor, son, bank staff, others killed

Posted by admin Headlines, Plateau, State News Tuesday, August 30th, 2011

AS the security agencies are battling to restore normalcy to the city of Jos following the orgy of violence that gripped some parts of the state capital on Monday leading to the death of many

people, secret killings still pervaded the nooks and crannies of the city while more corpses were being uncovered.

In the early hours of Tuesday, some hoodlums alleged to be on the revenge mission stormed the Murtala Muhammed Way of the state capital and brutally killed one of the security men at the sentry post of the Afribank, now Main Street Bank by stabbing him to death while his three colleagues escaped.

Nigerian Tribune learnt that the hoodlums went on the rampage on the major street, inflicting injuries on people at random and also vandalised the premises of Fed Ex, a courier company, while other business premises along the popular road were not spared.

It was also gathered that a senior pastor with the Christ Apostolic Church, Pastor G.C. Shawari, and his son were killed at their official residence on the premises of the church on Monday evening, when a group of youths invaded the house.

An eyewitness told Nigerian Tribune that the irate youth entered the premises through the back door, swooped on the pastor and his son and macheted both of them to death while the wife narrowly escaped.

The Chief Medical Director of Jos University Teaching Hospital, Dr Ishaya Pam, told newsmen that 13 corpses of those that died on Monday were transferred to JUTH mortuary on Tuesday.

According to him, one of the 18 victims on transfer to JUTH died on the way, adding that 98 per cent of those on admission suffered gunshot wounds.

However, Plateau State Police Commissioner, Mr Emmanuel Ayeni, has stated that the Muslim youth were warned against using the prayer ground on Rukuba road for their Sallah prayers.

Speaking with newsmen, he said despite several appeals, the youth said it was the ground or nowhere, adding that the police had made adequate arrangements for security during the Sallah celebrations, but the group, Ja’amatu Izallatu Jibi’a Wa Ikamatu Sunna (JIBWIS), had insisted that their own Sallah prayers would be held a day ahead of others and it would be at the Rukuba road prayer ground.

“Maybe there was an animosity between the youth that metamorphosed into what we witnessed today [Monday], but we had made comprehensive arrangements for today and tomorrow [Tuesday and Wednesday] but suddenly the Izalla group emerged and said they would observe their own Sallah on Monday morning . We advised them that there were certain routes we believed would cause problem and certain venues.

“We advised them to avoid that venue and go somewhere else, but this sect insisted that they have to do it there. And it did not go down well with the local youth. After the prayers, many of the youth hijacked the area and there was a breakdown of law and order, but policemen ensured that those who went for prayers were escorted safely out of that place. Even at that, the whole thing became bloody.”

He confirmed that 11 people were killed and more than 50 vehicles were burnt during the incident while the spokesman for the Special Task Force, Captain Charles Ekeocha, said that 13 people were killed and over 20 wounded.-Vanguardwp_posts