More prominent Nigerians, including President of the Senate David Mark, Speaker of the House of Representatives Dimeji Bankole and the Nigeria's northern leader Sultan of Sokoto have called for for calm and an end to the violence in Jos, the Plateau State capital.
Former Nigeria head of state Yakubu Gowon, former National Chairman of the People Democratic Party Solomon Lar and former Commissioner of Police of Lagos Command Abubakar Tsav have also called for an end to the crisis, according to the Lagos based Punch newspaper on Monday.
The leaders of the National Assembly Mark and Bankole said the killings of innocent Nigerians in Jos were condemnable, adding that those found culpable of perpetrating the violence must be made to face the law.
They both agreed that fracas had nothing to do with religion because Christianity and Islam preached peace.
Mark blamed the crisis on individuals who, according to them, hide under the guise of religion to pursue a selfish agenda.
He added that the fact that Bankole, who is a Muslim and with him in the church service, was a clear indication that the National Assembly and Nigeria would not condone religious intolerance under any guise.
On his part, Bankole also emphasized the need for religious harmony in all parts of Nigeria, adding that acrimony between religions was as old as man.
Former Nigeria head of state Yakubu Gowon wondered why what was supposed to be a purely political matter assumed a religious dimension.
Lar described the violence as sad and a big challenge to all.
Lar and Gowon, in their separate reactions in Jos, described the mayhem as unfortunate, urging everyone to cooperate with security operatives to restore normalcy to the city.
In his comment, the Sultan of Sokoto called for tolerance by Christians and Muslims.
The Sultan, in a statement by the NSCIA Secretary-General, Lateef Adegbite, urged all concerned in the crisis "not to allow politics of hatred and injustice to tear the bond of unity and tolerance that once existed.
He advised residents of the city to cooperate with the authorities to bring about peace and security to the city.
He called on the Plateau State Government to take immediate steps to assuage the feelings of the people by promptly compensating the victims of the fracas who had lost properties, especially their places of worship.
A retired Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command Abubakar Tsav blamed the crisis on frustration, injustice, idleness and crave for revenge.
The Plateau State government has given the official death toll of the riot as 200. It also said that more than 10,000 have been displaced in Jos North where the riot took place.
Source:Xinhua
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