Rome — The Catholic Archbishop of Abuja and president of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), John Onaiyekan, has condemned the deadly Christian-Muslim riots in the city of Jos at the weekend.

The violence, in which over 200 people were killed and many others injured and displaced, is deplorable not only because of the lives and properties destroyed, but also because of the spiritual damage caused to efforts at building good relations across lines of ethnic, political and religious differences, the archbishop said in a statement from Rome.

"There is the risk that the recent events might compromise or at least slacken these laudable efforts. This risk must be avoided by all means."

Archbishop Onaiyekan called on the government to intensify efforts to re-establish peace in the state, adding that it is the primary responsibility of government to ensure the security of lives and properties of citizens.

He at the same time urged thorough and transparent investigation of the violence. "The state ought to be in a position to fish out the real and often faceless planners, promoters and sponsors of these incidents, and hold them accountable, no matter who they may be."

Archbishop Onaiyekan further said that there was a clearly political dimension to the violence. Unfortunately, there are those who try to gain political mileage by dragging in religion, which they callously manipulate, use, misuse and abuse. This is all the more reason why all genuine religious leaders must join hands to liberate religion from those who seek to highjack it, and give it a bad name."

There is no alternative to mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and positive collaboration in Nigeria, the archbishop pointed out.