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Attai Audu Jos.
Management of Plateau Indegenous Church (COCIN) has condemns in unequivocal terms the recent attack and killings along Rukuba road Jos of commuters and the attendant reprisals.
According to the Church leadership Headed by Rev. Prof.Dachollom Datiri and Secretary Benjamin Pokol , ” as a church, we hold dearly the sanctity of life and abhor in no uncertain terms the ceaseless bloodbath that has claimed numerous precious lives”
“In a similar vein the church condemns the mowing down of hectares of forms and crops in Bassa, Riyom and Barkin Ladi Local government areas’
these acts are barbaric, savage, wicked, demonic, uncivilized and unacceptable, to say the least”.
According to them, COCIN commiserates with the governments and people of Plateau and Ondo states over the recent unfortunate incidence in Jos.
They said the Church wish to offer her condolences to the families of the victims of these dastardly acts, stressing that God should comfort, help and strength in these trying moments.
The Plateau Church leaders called on Government to rise to the occasion, take responsibility for the wanton destruction of lives, crops, and properties.
” Government must do everything in its constitutional power to project the ideals of justice, righteousness, equity and fairness to all Nigerians, irrespective of their tribes, religions, political and ethnic inclinations” they demanded.
They further stressed that while they commend the swift response of the securities and the federal Government to the Rukuba Road killings, they wish to call on the securities in a similar fashion specifically the OPSH to as a matter of urgency use their intelligence and capacity to arrest and prosecute those terrorizing Plateau communities in Bassa, Riyom, Jos North and Barkin ladi LGAs.
“Government must remember that if justice is not seen to be done, it will appear that Government is herself fanning the embers of crisis”.
According to the church leaders,the conflicting reports about the identity of those killed on Rukuba Road, and their mission is also very worrisome.
They called on the government to conduct an unbias investigation to clear rumours, doubts and accusations.
” We commend the government for having in placed the curfew which helped to check the escalation of the crisis and possible reprisal attacks. However, securities need to intensify efforts during curfews as experience has shown that people are still being attacked and killed”.
They assured the government that COCIN is committed to the pursuance of peace and to peaceful coexistence as the church will continue to partner with the authorities to ensure that peace is enshrined in their communities.
” At the same time, citizens must remain at heightened state of alert, and reject the natural resort to self help,”
On the other hand, they challenged security agencies that they should be seen to be responding to distress calls by all communities and act professionally, dispassionately and fairly in all situations where people face existential threats.
” We appeal to both the state and the Federal Government to as a matter of urgency attend to the needs of over 30,000 people displaced from 39 Irigbe communities in Bassa L.G.A. currently in the IDP camps in Miango and Kwall.
We equally call on COCIN Ministers and Members to take immediate steps and provide emergency humanitarian assistance to those affected by this crisis. Do not linger on this matter” they appealed.
They charge their church members through out the state to join them to pray for the peace of Jos.
” Let us pray for peace in Plateau State. Let us pray for peace in Nigeria.
” May God comfort the grieving; may God heal the wounded and may God protect and provide for the displaced.” They prayed.
Rev, Prof. Dachollom C. Datiri Rev. Assoc. Prof. Benjamin Pokol
COCIN President General Secretary
Oracle Reporters 