1 December 2008
Lagos — Pope Benedict XVI has condemned as "cruel and senseless" the sectarian fighting in Nigeria and the terrorist attacks in India that have killed hundreds of people in the two countries.
Addressing a crowd in St. Peter's Square after his traditional Sunday blessing, Benedict denounced the "brutal terrorist attacks" in Mumbai as well as the ethnic and religious clashes that have rocked the central Nigerian city of Jos.
In Nigeria, Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar III, called on Muslims and Christians to embrace peace and avoid acts of violence in the interest of stability and development of the nation.
But as residents of Jos continue to mourn their loved ones killed during the riots, peace is gradually returning to the city.
The University of Jos has, however, been shut down indefinitely to forestall further breakdown of law and order.
At least 174 people have been killed in the shooting attacks on 10 sites in Mumbai, while more than 300 people are reported dead after a dispute over local elections turned into sectarian violence between Christians and Muslims in Jos.
The Pope said though the causes and circumstances of the events were different, they both should be met with "horror and indignation."
Abubakar called on the Plateau State government to compensate the unfortunate victims and groups that lost their properties and places of worship in the riots.
Abubakar's statement was signed on his behalf by the Secretary-General, Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs in Nigeria (SCIAN), Dr. Lateef Adegbite, a copy of which was made available to THISDAY in Sokoto.
The statement said: "The Sultan, who is the President-General of the Council and Co-Chairman Nigeria Inter-Religious Council, has noted with great concern the violence that erupted in Jos a few days ago as a result of the local government elections, which subsequently resulted in burning down of some churches and mosques."
The statement condemned in its totality all those who brought about the situation that lead to loss of lives and properties.
"As the security agencies are on top of the situation and trying to restore peace and normalcy in the city, the Sultan called on all peace loving citizens to be law abiding and desist from violent acts," the statement said.
Yesterday, prayers were said for the repose of the souls of those who lost their lives at various religious houses, after which they were buried in a mass grave.
Supervising the burial ceremony, Lt. Col. Mohammed Sa'id, who represented the Chief of Army Staff, said the army came to provide its little contribution by way of providing burial materials for the dead.
About 140 troops were yesterday airlifted to Jos from the Nigerian Air Force Base; Kaduna in a Nigerian Air Force Charlie Jet marked "NAF 913".
The soldiers were drawn from the 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna.
While addressing the departing soldiers at the Air Force Base, General Officer Commanding 1 Division of the Nigerian Army, Kaduna, Major General Moses Obi, told them to be professional in their duties in Jos.
Meanwhile, Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole said perpetrators of the Jos mayhem should not go unpunished.
Both National Assembly leaders spoke with journalists after the "Harvest of Gratitude" held at St. Mulumba's Catholic Chaplaincy, Apo Mansion (the official residence of the Senate President) in Abuja.
Mark stressed the need for religious harmony in Jos and other parts of the country, saying that "Nigerians should show gratitude to God for His love and what He is doing for the country."
Bankole, on his part, said: "Acrimony between religions has been on from day one, but as leaders, we should make sure that we show examples to the people who will look up to us that we can do things together. We should show unity, love, perseverance, patience and hope to all of us."
The Senate president has, however, expressed the commitment of the National Assembly to deal with the issue of religious crisis and political violence.
He said the assembly leadership had demonstrated the capacity for religious tolerance, stressing that the presence of the Speaker at the harvest of gratitude and thanksgiving church service was clearly indicative of the religious tolerance.
According to Mark, "the fact that the Speaker, who is a Muslim, is with me in the church service is a clear indication that the National Assembly and Nigeria as a united nation will not condone any religious crisis and violence."
The National President of the Nigeria Baptist Convention, Reverend Reuben Chuga, said the crisis was unnecessary and preventable.
Chuga, who spoke with newsmen in Kaduna as part of the church's reaction to the crisis, condemned the riots, saying there was no justification for it.
He said "based on the sensitive nature of Jos, in view of past crises, the government and security agencies should have pre-empted the crisis and made more adequate preparations to nip it in the bud before it degenerate to the present level it is."
The All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) described the Jos riots as a national shame and called on the Federal Government to intervene decisively in the matter.
Also, the Conference of Nigeria Political Parties (CNPP) said the crisis was part of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)'s do-or-die politics, while the National Chairman of the Citizens Popular Party (CPP), Chief Maxi Okwu, called on President Umaru Musa Yar'Adua to respond promptly by ensuring the security of all Nigerians as stated in Section 14 of the 1999.
According to ANPP's National Publicity Secretary, Chief Emman Eneukwu, "this is a shame and a national embarrassment and the Federal Government led by President Umaru Yar'Adua must intervene to save the lives and property of innocent Nigerians.
"We in the ANPP believe that the Federal Government must act now to stop this dangerous act as it poses dangerous signal for the federation as lives and properties are no longer safe because of thugs who use politics as a disguise."
In its comment, CNPP spokesman Osita Okechukwu said, "the carnage is highly regrettable and it is the signpost of the PDP do-or-die politics. PDP's phobia for election is the tragedy for Nigerian Democracy."
Okwu described the Jos crisis as a symptom of a failed electoral system and the failure of the government to provide adequate security for all Nigerians where ever they may be within the country.
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