Statement by Jos YMCA on the Violence in Nigeria
The spree killing of innocent citizens must stop.
The peaceful atmosphere that have prevailed in recent times in the city of Jos, Plateau state in North Central Nigeria, was disturbed by multiple explosions at the popular and ever busy railway terminus of Jos resulting in the death of over 100 people, leaving scores of persons injured and others possibly maimed for life.
The concerted effort by state and non state actors aimed at rebuilding relationships, promoting a culture of peace and social cohesion, strengthening and consolidating the peace building process have yielded positive results. These results include the restoration of relationships, social and community re-integration, community resilience, religious freedom and tolerance as well as provision of dividends of democracy by the state government especially in the areas of infrastructural development. All these are made possible only in the atmosphere of peace.
However, the twin explosions that rocked the city on Tuesday the 20th of May 2014 at about around 2:51pm, by yet to be identified groups, is an attempt to break our renewed bond of friendship that cuts across religious and ethnic lines and to also disrupt the peace enjoyed by all in the state.
The YMCA of Jos which works in the area of peace-building, human rights, good governance and development in Plateau state raises her voice in total condemnation of this horrible and gruesome murder of innocent men and women, including children who went about their normal and routine business of seeking just and honest means of livelihood.
There is and will never be any justifiable reason for such attack and violence on innocent citizen. We believe and see this as an attempt to further break down the trust and confidence amongst residents of the city and a deliberate desire to sow a seed of discord in the hearts of men. We commend and appreciate the resilience of communities.
Our hearts go to the families of victims of the bomb explosion, some of whom still wait in anticipation the return of their loved ones. May God be their consolation and may the souls of those who died in the explosion rest in peace. Amen.
We commend also the efforts of government, security agencies, CSOs/NGOS, media practitioners, and well-meaning Nigerians that were at hand to rescue victims and provide relief for those affected. We also commend medical personnel that were on hand to attend to victims of the blast. Such a show of love and solidarity is a demonstration of our common heritage as humans which should not be broken by any negative ploy or attempt.
We wish to appeal to the general public not to give in to any attempt by disgruntled groups or persons to cause chaos and further violence in the city and state at large. We should rather rally around victims and their families to give them the needed support while we also remain vigilant and security conscious. Violence or any form of reprisals will do us no good, but rather cause more hardship for all.
We therefore call on government at all levels and security agencies to make concerted efforts to avert future occurrences through pro-active measures and to also ensure that perpetrators of this horrible inhuman act are brought to justice.
We continue to work and pray for a peaceful and just Plateau.
Taimanda Shalhona, Secretary, Jos YMCA
Jos YMCA
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