Sectarian Crisis VP Orders Security Chiefs To Jos As Death Toll Rises

In spite of the curfew imposed by the Federal Government in Jos, the crisis there persists.

The Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan yesterday directed the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Ogbonna Onovo and the army Chiefs to relocate to Jos, Plateau State capital in order to contain the sectarian violence which erupted there Sunday and report back to him.

Meanwhile, reports indicate that scores have been killed in the mayhem which continued to spread to other parts of the state yesterday.

The Interior Minister, Shittima Mustapha said the Jos crisis necessitated an initial meeting with the National Security adviser, Major General Sarki Muktar (rtd) who led others to brief the vice president Goodluck Jonathan on the matter.

Also on the team were the secretary to the Government of the Federation Mammuel Yayani Ahmed, the Chief of Defence Staff, Chief Air Marshall Paul Dike, Police Affairs Senator Ibrahim Lame, Inspector General of Police, Ogbonna Onovo. Also present at the meeting are the Senate President, David Mark, Deputy Senate President, Ike Enweremadu, the Speaker of the House of Representative, Dimeji Bankole, PDP National Chairman and other party officials.

However, the Vice President, Goodluck Jonathan has called on all Nigerians to remain cam and law abiding and shun suppressive tendencies such as those being witnessed in Jos, Plateau State.

This is contained in a statement issued by the senior Assistant to the Vice President on Media and Publicity, Emman Iboro following the Vice President meeting with the National Security Chiefs.

He said that the vice president has assured that the federal government is determined to maintain law and other at all time saying that no meaningful development can be achieved in an atmosphere of disagreement and rancour. He said that the VP is confident that Nigeria can move beyond current challenges no matter how hard to build a greater nation. He said that the VP has directed an urgent meeting of key stakeholders to find a permanent solution to Jos crisis.

Meanwhile, the Senate President, David Mark has appealed to all the security agents in the country to quell the crisis in Jos.