The lull experienced on Monday following last Sunday's eruption of hostilities in Jos gave way yesterday to the worst day yet in the Plateau State capital's latest orgy of violence. Although the state government extended the night-time curfew imposed on the city on Sunday to apply throughout the day and night, burning of houses, looting and killings continued in the eastern parts of Jos North Local Government, including Duala, Congo Russia and Tudun Fera. Click to learn more...
As early as 5am yesterday, indications that a new, worse twist to the crisis was underway was heralded by the sound of gun shots as well as thick smoke from burning houses billowing from those areas. The smoke soon enveloped the greater part of the city due to the direction of the wind.
It was not clear as to what caused yesterday's brutal escalation, though some sources said it may have been caused by some communities' anger at the losses in lives and property that they suffered during the crisis' first round on Sunday. Security agencies in the state had earlier assured that the situation had been contained following their intervention.
Witnesses who frantically called Daily Trust from various parts of Jos said hundreds of shops and houses had been looted and burnt in some city areas and that dozens of people had been killed. According to them, sophisticated weapons were used by both civilians and some security agents who were also accused of taking sides in the communal fighting, rather than curtailing it. A city resident who phoned the Daily Trust Newsroom early yesterday said when the burning and looting started again in his area, he ran to an army patrol team on the main road and sought for help. However, he said, the soldiers said they were too few to move into the deeper parts of the area, and that they could only remain on the main road.
The orgy of violence in Jos also caused serious telephone problems which impaired efforts to collate casualty figures. The state radio periodically broadcast a statement by the state Information Commissioner Gregory Yenlong. He urged citizens to remain calm and not to take the law into their hands. Yenlong also called on medical personnel to report for work. He also announced the imposition of the round-the-clock curfew.
He said, "The plateau state govt in consultation with the state security council after reviewing the current prevailing situation in Jos metropolis has directed the immediate imposition of a 24 hour curfew in Jos and Bukuru metropolis. All residents are therefore advised to adhere strictly to these directives. Residents are further warned not to take the law into their hands and remain calm as efforts are being made to bring the situation under control. All workers are advice to vacate all offices and return home immediately. Only those on essential services most especially medical officers, media personnel and security are exempted from these directives".
Daily Trust learnt that several soldiers and policemen were also killed or wounded in yesterday's riots. Water scarcity also bedevilled the city, and there was growing food shortage as many people were caught off-guard by the road-the-clock curfew. Hundreds of refugees were seen on Dogon Dutse, seeking for shelter. In the afternoon yesterday, an identified helicopter was seen hovering above the city of Jos, going round from area to area.
By afternoon yesterday, reports also filtered in that the crisis had spread to many villages around Jos, including Bukuru and Sabon Gida. Although there was no fighting in Vom and Tudun Wada areas of Jos South Local Government, tension was very high there.
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