Rising from a two days peace building conference in the heart of Jos city, the participants of the conference have lamented the segregation of markets within the Jos and Bukuru metropolis as unhealthy for genuine peace and reconciliation. The gave the examples where the Rukuba road satelite market was used and patronised exclusively by Christians, while the filin ball market by their Muslims counterparts as unacceptable.

In a statement signed by one of the participants -Victor Gwuchili, they noted that recurrent ethnic and religious disturbances had affected Jos/Bukuru metropolis over the last decade, but that relative peace had returned to the affected areas in the recent past and that there was need for re-engagement and reconciliation between the warring factions. 

Rising from a two days peace building conference in the heart of Jos city, the participants of the conference have lamented the segregation of markets within the Jos and Bukuru metropolis as unhealthy for genuine peace and reconciliation. The gave the examples where the Rukuba road satelite market was used and patronised exclusively by Christians and the filin ball market by their Muslims counterparts as totally unacceptable.

In a statement signed by one of the participants -Victor Gwuchili, they noted that recurrent ethnic and religious disturbances had affected Jos/Bukuru metropolis over the last decade, but that relative peace had returned to the affected areas in the recent past and that there was need for re-engagement and reconciliation between the warring factions. 

The statement then appealed to NGOs, religious bodies, cultural and development associations to as a matter of urgency establish counselling and support programmes in the state to assist the rehabilitation of victims of crises in the state. It also requested that PLSG work closely with the STF to consider revising the high number of checkpoints on the highways across the state. It would be recalled that in the recent past, several Plateau citizens have complained about the high number of check-points within the state, especially as it affects traffic congestion.

by Jerry Ladan

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Conference participants oppose separate markets for Christians and Muslims in Jos