Plateau State Youth Council has express rude shock over the chaos and eventual disruption of calm in Jos metropolis yesterday. This was contained in a statement signed by Fabong Jemchang ,the Chairman, of the State Youth Council and made available to newsmen in Jos . The statement reads that “This acts of course is perpetrated by disgruntled elements who have no idea what we have been through these years”. “As a people, we need to understand that there is a cost of war that cannot be be calculated in economic terms. Unless one is living in an area affected by arm conflicts, it is difficult to understand the cost of war and yet appreciate the price of peace. ”

“The aftermath of the Biafra war has left a scar in the history of our dear country and only those who were around and are still alive can better tell the story. Those who survived paid the price for peace. ” “It is with pain, yet a deep sense of responsibility that we appeal to the youths and the entire public to shun any act capable of causing mayhem. ” “We condemn in strong terms what happened yesterday in Jos and this should not be allowed to happen even in our wildest imaginations. ” “We state emphatically that Plateau State is not a revenge ground as hard and harsh as this may sound. What happened yesterday just goes to show we have got people with evil intentions amidst of us, who are also determined to bring confusion and unrest.” “We call on the great peace loving youths and the good people of Plateau State, to display the strength of our collective will to deal with their evil, and make our society a better place to be.” “The swift response of the Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Simon Bako Lalong is highly commended. This is an expression of leadership, character and responsibility. We the youths are in support of the dusk to dawn curfew imposed on Jos and Bukuru metropolis to curb further tensions. ” “We appreciate all security agencies that quelled the tension and restored law and order in the troubled spots.” “We are calling on members of both the Igbo and Hausa communities in Jos and Bukuru metropolis to help the State Government to fish out the perpetrators of these acts and criminal elements in their midst and assure one another of their safety.” “We are appealing to the media to help in deescalating the tension through their reportage and ensure that they are conflict sensitive in reporting this and other issues relating to conflict.”

We are once again in support of the Federal Government’s resolve to ensure Nigeria is one and also we stand with all security agencies in working to ensure law and order is maintain while encouraging them to shun any black mail in course of their work.” “We also thank the mature and peaceful response of the The Jama’atu Nasril Islam under the able and vibrant leadership of His Royal Highness the Emir of Wase Alhaji Muhammadu Gambo II and the Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Abubakar Sa’ad II and all Northern governors for the reassuring response and promise to protect our brothers and sisters from the south-east. He join our voices to ensure that that their safety is guaranteed.”

As a Youth group ,we are appealing to Governors in the south-east to ensure the safety of all Ethnic Groups within their state and support the Federal Government in restoring law and order in the region.” “I call on the youths to be vigilant and report any suspicious activities to the security agencies, as security is our collective responsibility. We must stop the trend of being willing tools in the hands of desperate citizens and terrorist. We should shun propaganda and the spreading of hate speeches ” Similarly the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Plateau State Chapter on behalf of the Church expresses great shock and dismay at the sudden build up of tension in Jos Metropolis especially yesterday evening. This was contained in a statement signed by Rev. Dr. Soja Bewarang, Chairman, CAN Plateau State Chapter and made available to newsmen in Jos . “CAN frowns at the conduct of some disgruntled elements, whose stock in trade and design is to throw the Plateau State into confusion. CAN had issued a strong statement condemning both the quit notice by the Arewa Youths as well the agitations of the Independent People of Biafra (IPOB) in the South East.

“CAN reiterates its stand and appeal to both parties to pursue the path of peace. We call on the Igbos on the Plateau to remain calm as nobody will ask them to leave Plateau. We appreciate the Governor and security agencies for their prompt intervention and courageous work yesterday on the directives of the Governor to calm the situation. CAN calls on its members to remain calm, law abiding and to pursue the path of peace. Christians are hereby requested to obey the measures so far taken by the Government to bring this uncalled for disturbance to peace to order.

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Plateau Youth Council sues for peaceful co-existence