The Nigerian city of Jos almost turned to a ghost town as residents fled to seek refuge in churches, mosques and military barracks on Wednesday, even as Muslim-Christian clashes spread to new regions leaving more than 300 dead in three days of communal-violence.
However, the government has reviewed the 24-hour curfew to 5pm to 10am in Jos. The partial lifting of the curfew was also meant to address the issue of humanitarian supply which has been hampered by restriction of movement.
Humanitarian agencies have estimated the number of displaced as 20,000.
There is also serious food scarcity as shops are locked and commercial activities crippled. The fighting which started on Sunday between Christians and Muslims has spread to neighbouring towns forcing the country's military to take over from the police on maintenance of law and order in the town that serves as a capital to Plateau state.
A Red Cross chief, Awwalu Mohammed has raised alarm on the humanitarian consequences of the movement restriction. A statement by the Commissioner for Information and Communication, Gregory Yenlong, also announced the suspension of the use of motorcycles for transportation within the metropolis.
A woman who opted to remain anonymous told PTI that despite being evacuated by security agencies after making a special plea on phone, it was not an easy journey.
"I was able to escape to Abuja this morning but the State Security Service officers who aided me did it under dangerous circumstances as shoot out between them and some religious zealots was avoided by whiskers," she said.
Categories : 
6:00 AM
Moderate Islamist here
0 comments:
Post a Comment