Governor Simon Lalong of Plateau State has confirmed the death of two
persons from the Thursday violence in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Premium Times reported the violence, between Hausas and Igbos in a
part of Jos, which was caused by a disagreement on the appropriateness
or otherwise of the violence in Abia involving soldiers and members of a
pro-Biafra separatist group, IPOB.
On Friday, the governor who
had declared a dusk to dawn curfew in Jos, met with community and
religious leaders at the government house Jos.
Mr. Lalong
confirmed the deaths during the meeting and also acknowledged that some
persons were also injured and are hospitalised. He condoled with the
victims.
The governor charged all community and religious leaders to ensure peaceful coexistence in their respective places of authority.
“Community leaders must ensure peace in their domains, I as a governor,
I cannot be everywhere, you must ensure that peace reigns. Let us talk
to our youth to avoid taking laws into their hands.”
Mr.
Lalong admonished residents of the state, irrespective of religion,
ethnic and economic status to remain calm; saying government will ensure
protection of lives and property.
“Government will handle the situation effectively, nobody is above the law,” he said.
“Our security operatives are up and doing. Anyone found wanting will
face the full wrath of the law, that is why we imposed curfew.
“We
will ensure maximum security measures in all parts of the state to
ensure that no citizen is harmed. As I speak with you, similar meetings
are ongoing in all our local government councils.”